
Qass. 
Book 



THE 

LIFE AND TIMES 



OF 



GEN. FRANCIS MARION, 



WITH 



AN APPENDIX. 



containing: 

BIOGRAPHICAL KOTICES OF GHEXNE, MORGAIT, PICKEIT8, 

8UMPTER, WASHINGTOX, I.EE, DAVIE, AND OTHKE 

DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS OF THE SOUTHERN 

CAMPAIGir, DURING THE AMERICAN 

RErOtUTION. 



BY H. N; MOORE. 
EeELLISHED WITH EIGHT ENGRAVINGS. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
PUBLISHED BY JOHN B. PERRY, 

NO. 198 MAHKET STREET. 




Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1845, by 

JOHN B. PERRY, 
In the office of the Clerk of the Eastern District of Penn'a. 



^i 



THE LIFE AND TIMES 

OP 

FRANCIS MARION. 



CHAPTER I. 

Some account of Marion's family— his birth — early life 
— his voyage to sea,, and shipwreck — remains at home 
a planter. Indian insurrections, Marion's first cam- 
paign against the Cherokees— frightful picture of In- 
dian warfare. Marion's letter. Marion among the 
first to espouse the cause of his country in its struggles 
with British tyranny — J^is active measures — elecled a 
captain under the gallant Moultrie — bombardment of 
Fort Sullivan by the British fieet — gallant defence of 
the fort — aneccbteSf etc. 

As a man and a patriot, bright is the example we have 
in the career of Francis Marion. Asa soldier, his name, 
more than any other, is identified with the stratagic wis- 
dom, heroic exploits and military successes of the parti- 
zan war in the Carol inas, during the Revolution ; a war 
in which he " and his brigade were so distinguished," 
says Dr. Ramsay, " and at the same time so detached 
in their operations, as to merit and require particular 
notice." In following him through the trying times in 
which he acted, much cause as we shall have to glory 
in him as a military chieftain, we shall have po less 
reason to admire the self-command, rectitude, and ever- 
active humanity of his character. 

(7) 



S MABION AND HIS TIMES. 

The family of Marion was one of the many Pro 
testant ones who who fled from France in consequence 
of the persecutions they experienced under the reign of 
Louis XIV. These dissenters from the Catholic reli- 
gion were termed Huguenots, and our hero's grand- 
lather, towards the close of the seventeenth century, 
left France and emigrated to the shores of America. 
His son, Gabriel Marion, was the father of Francis 
Marion^ whose birth occurred at a place called Winvah, 
(S. C.) in the year 1732 or 1733. Biographers differ 
as to the year, but we are inclined to receive the earlier 
date as the more correct of the two. Francis Marion 
was the youngest of several children. He had four 
brothers and two sisters. " I have it from good author- 
ity," says Weems,* " that this great soldier, at his birth, 
was not larger than a New-England lobster, and might 
easily enough have been put^ into a quart pot." And 
all the accounts we have, concur in regard to the -fact, 
that he was a puny and sickly infant ; so much so, that 
it was thought he would never survive till manhood. 
He however, lived through infancy, and at the age of 
sixteen, such had been the change of his constitution, 
he was an active and daring boy, who had already con- 
ceived a strong notion of leaving the farmer's life he 
had been brought up to, and entering upon that of a 
sailor. The quiet life of the farmer was not one suited 
to his disposition, and though his mother endeavored 
to dissuade him from his inclination, his mind was de- 
termined, and she finally yielded a reluctant consent. 
He started, as a sailor before the mast, upon a voyage 
to the West Indies, and had the misfortune to be ship- 
wrecked. The ship foundered, says tradition, from the 
injury done her by the stroke of a large whale. The 

* Weems* Life of Gen, Francis Marion. 



INDIAN INSUHRECTIONS. 9 

crew escaped from the sinking vessel in the jolly-boat, 
and were tossed about on the ocean in a helpless condi- 
tion for more than a week, when they were picked up 
by a passing vessel. While in the boat, they were 
without provisions, and had subsisted on the raw flesh 
and blood of a dog, which, as the ship was sinking, 
jumped into the boat. Six persons had entered this 
boat, but only four were taken from it by the passing 
vessel. The captain and mate, in a state of phrenzy, 
produced from exposure to the rays of a scorching sun, 
and the use of salt-water, had the day before thrown 
themselves overboard, and perished. Marion and three 
others finally reached their homes. Marion, in com- 
pliance with the earnest entreaties of his mother, re- 
sumed his occupation of farming, at which he indus- 
triously continued, and, at the death of his father in 
1758, he settled himself, at the age of twenty-six, upon 
a place that is called Pond Bluff. 

The colony of South Carolina, like other provinces 
of North America, was much harrassed by the preda- 
tory incursions of Indians, and in the beginning of the 
year 1759 a war broke out between the colonists and 
the Cherokee tribe, and Marion turned out with the 
militia ; but a treaty of peace was soon concluded, the 
Indians not finding matters in the train they expected, 
and by which they anticipated a butchering conquest 
over the white men. Scarcely were the militia dis- 
banded before the treacherous Cherokees again showed 
signs of hostility, and, such were their agressions upon 
the frontier settlements, that it was the next year decided 
that the country of the Indians should be invaded. The 
command of the whol-e forces now raised was given to 
Col. Grant of the British army, and Marion was ap- 
pointed lieutenant of a native regiment, under the imme- 



10 MABION AND HIS TIMES. 

diate command of Col. Moultrie, himself under the 
command of Col. Middleton. 

The combined forces under Colonels Grant and Mid- 
dleton advanced (in June 1761) into the Indian country. 
The approach was of course, from the kind of warfare 
carried on by the enemy, conducted with caution, and 
finding that the adversary was advantageously posted 
behind the thick wood crowning a mountain, through a 
dark defile of which the road lay. This, it was re- 
solved, should be forced rapidly by a small body of 
soldiers, whilst the main army passed. For this peril- 
ous enterprise a " forlorn hope" of thirty men, headed 
by Francis Marion, was chosen. Marion, with a heart 
undaunted by the almost certain death that awaited him, 
took the lead of his chosen band, and advanced y:'v\\ 
courageous rapidity, whilst the main army followed to 
su{)port him and effecl. their passage. No sooner had 
Marion and his men entered the dark defile, than the 
loud war-whoop resounded from all sides, and a de- 
structive fire blazed forth from behind the trees. Twenty 
one of the forlorn hope instantly were killed, and the 
hideously painted savages rushed forth in pursuit, with 
demonical yells and brandished tomahawks. Marion 
and his remnant of men fell back to the main army. 

The commanding officers, fully aware that a sangui- 
nary conflict was at hand, animated their soldiers on, 
and represented the peculiar demand there now was for 
exertions of valor, inasmuch as if defeated they would 
be the victims of an indiscriminate slaughter. The 
soldiers cheered, and advanced gallantly to the conflict, 
determined to yield then only with their lives — they 
knew no quarter would be shown to a prisoner, and that 
they must gain the victory or die on the spot. The Indians, 
too, were defending the most important pass into their 



INDIAN WABFARE. 11 

country, and it could not be otherwise expected than 
that they would fight with signal bravery. And now 
followed the sharp crack of rifle after rifle; here, there, 
and on all sides, the flash illumed the dark lurking place 
.of the foe ; the bayonet of the soldier would be plunged 
into the thicket, its point penetrating the breast of an In- 
dian, and at the same instant a ball reaches his own 
heart, he and his enemy falling dead side by side. 
Long the contest continued without any decisive result, 
and terrible was the carnage on both sides ; but at last 
it could be perceived that victory leaned to the side of 
the army ; that the Indian, who repeatedly dislodged, 
had as desperately returned to the combat, was now re- 
luctantly yielding. The battle raged with great spirit 
for three hours, and in an hour more the surviving 
soldiers of the army had the satisfaction of congratula- 
ting each other upon a hard-fought victory. 

Colonel Grant followed up his victory by pursuing 
the flying foe into the heart of their country, burning 
their towns, ravaging their corn-fields, and taking all 
possible means to punish them for their inhuman ag- 
gressions upon the frontier settlements. Not so much for 
vengeance was the object, but to deter them from future 
encroachments by the severe retribution that they must 
expect from this precedent. It is said that Marion long 
after looked back upon the horrors of this war with a 
feeling of sorrow ; and that such was the fact, is corrob- 
orated by his own words in a letter written to a friend. 
He writes as follows : " We arrived at the Indian 
towns in the month of July. As the lands were rich, 
and the season favorable, the corn was bending under 
the double weight of lusty roasting ears and pods of 
clustering beans. The furrows seemed to rejoice under 
their precious loads ; the fields stood thick with bread. 



12 MAKION AND HIS TIMES. 

We encamped the first night in the woods, near the 
fields, where the whole army feasted on the young corn, 
which, with fat venison, made a most delicious treat. 
The next morning we proceeded, by order of Colonel 
Grant, to burn down the Indian cabins. Some of our 
men seemed to enjoy this cruel work, laughing very 
heartily at the curling flames, as they mounted, loud 
crackling, over the tops of the huts. But to me it ap- 
peared a shocking sight. " Poor creatures !" thought 
I, " we surely need not grudge you such miserable 
habitations." But when we came (according to orders) 
to cut down the fields of corn, I could scarcely refrain 
from tears. For who could see the stalks that stood so 
stately, with broad green leaves and gaily-tasseled 
stocks, filled with sweet milky fluid and flour, the staff 
of life ; — who, I say, without grief could see these sa- 
cred plants sinking under our swords, with all their 
precious load, to wither and rot untasted in their mourn- 
ing fields 1 

" I saw everywhere around," continues his letter, 
" the footsteps of the little Indian children, where they 
had lately played under the shade of their rustling corn. 
No doubt they had often looked up with joy to the 
swelling shocks, and gladdened when they thought of 
their abundant cakes for the coming winter. When we 
are gone, thought I, they will return, and peeping 
through the weeds with tearful eyes, will mark the 
ghastly ruin poured over their homes and happy fields, 
where they had so often played. " Who did this ? they 
will ask their mothers. " The white people, the Christ- 
ians did it !" will be the reply. 

The disastrous result of this war (to the Indians) 
seems to have broken up all their hopes, and in a mea- 
sure to have crushed their spirit forever, Marion again 



STAMP ACT. 13 

retired to private life, fulfilling his duties as a citizen and 
a farmer, and for fourteen years he continued this peace- 
ful life, and by the honesty of his dealings and the pro- 
bity of his character, he gained the esteem of all that 
knew hi'm, and it is said no man was so universally 
beloved by his neighbors. Thus we find him when 
hostilities commenced between the colonies and Great 
Britain. 

Everything in South Carolina contributed to nourish 
a spirit of liberty and independence. Its settlement 
was nearly coeval with the Revolution in England, 
(1 688,) and many of its inhabitants had imbibed a large 
portion of that spirit which brought one tyrant to the 
block* and expelled another from his dominions.f 
Every inhabitant was, or easily might be a freeholder. 
Settled on lands of his own, he was both farmer and 
landlord. Having no superiors to whom he was obliged 
to look up, and producing all the necessaries of life 
from his own grounds, he soon became independent. 

The first statue that roused general and united op- 
position to British taxation was the memorable Stamp 
Act, passed in the year 1765. By this it was enacted, 
that the instruments of writing which are in daily use 
among a commercial people should be void in law un- 
less executed on stamped paper, or parchment, charged 
with a duty imposed by the British parliament. The 
indignation which this roused, induced an uniform line 
of conduct to be adopted by the different colonies, and 
a congress of deputies from each province was recom- 
mended. This first step towards Continental Union, 
was adopted in South Carolina before it had been agreed 
to by any colony to the southward of New England. 
The example of this province had a considerable influ- 
2 
* Charles I. t James II. 



14 MARION AND HIS TI3tES. 

ence in recommending the measure to others who were 
more tardy in their concurrence. The colonies on this 
occasion not only presented petitions and remonstrances 
to the British government, but spiritedly enterid into 
associations against importing British manufactures till 
the Stamp Act should be repealed— and they obtained 
their point. 

The experiment of taxation, however, was renewed 
in the year 1767, but in a more artful manner. Small 
duties wore imposed on glass, paper, tea, and painter\>< 
colors. The colonists again remonstrated, again asso- 
ciated to import no more British manufactures. And 
a second time did the government make a concession. 

In the year 1773 a scheme was adopted by the East- 
India company, to export large quantities of tea, to be 
sold on their account in several capitals of the British 
colonies. The colonists reasoned with themselves, that 
as the duty, and the price of the commodity were in- 
separably blended if the tea was sold, every purchaser 
would pay a tax imposed by the British parliament as 
a part of the purchase-money ; and, determined never 
to submit to British taxation, they everywhere entered 
into combinations to obstruct the sales of the tea sent 
out by the East-India Company. The cargoes sent to 
South Carolina were stored, the consignees being re- 
strained from exposing it to sale. In other provinces, 
the landing of it being forbidden, the captain's were 
obliged to return without discharging their cargoes. In 
Boston a few men, disguised as Indians, threw all the 
tea overboard from the ships lying at the wharves. 
When the intelligence of this reached England, the 
British parliament proceeded to take legislative ven- 
geance on that city. 

This measure of hostility towards Massachusetts had 



Marion's patriotism. 15 

for its object the dissevering of the other provinces from 
her, but its effect was directly contrary. The other 
colonies determined to support her, and, as has been 
stated, Soyth Carolina was the first southern province 
that did so. The whole country resounded with din 
of martial preparation. Volunteer companies were or- 
ganized in every city, town and hamlet, throughout the 
provinces. Guns, powder, and the implements of war, 
were collected, and carefully treasured from the eyes 
of the government's officers and spies ; and liberal sums 
of money were contributed by persons of every rank 
and age, and the liveliest enthusiasm prevailed for the 
cause of liberty. 

Marion at once espoused the cause of his country — 
his native land ; and that chivalrous feeling which so 
unhesitatingly prompted his heart to assert the undeni- 
able rights of mankmd, at the same time rendered him 
prompt in action. Not like your milk-and-water pa- 
triots who only talk of liberty, he went boldly forward 
to do. Many of his tory-hearted fellow-citizens wavered 
between their fears, and doubtful of the issue, desired 
to be on the successful side. Policy, not principle, 
governed their craven hearts. Marion, unlike these, 
convinced of the justice of his cause, was bravely 
ready to do and die for it, and was one of the foremost 
of those gallant spirits who enlisted in the army raised 
by the legislature of his native state. He was also a 
member of the Provincial Congress of South Carolina, 
which in the exigency of the cas^ was called together, 
sitting as a representative from Berkeley County. 

No sooner had the news of the battle of Lexington 
reached Charleston than the followincr act was passed. 
" The actual commencement of hostilities against this 
Continent by the British troops, in the bloody scene 



16 MARION AND HIS TOIES* 

of the 1 9th of April last,* near Boston — the increase 
of arbitrary imposition from a wicked and despotic 
ministry — and the dread insurrections in the Colonies 
— are causes sufficient to drive an oppressed people to 
the use of arms. We, therefore, the subscribers, in- 
habitants of South Carolina, holding ourselves bound 
by that most sacred of all obligations, the duty of good 
citizens to an injured country, and thoroughly con- 
vinced, that under our present distressed circumstances, 
we shall be justified before God and man, in resisting 
force by force — do unite ourselves, under every tie of 
religion and honor, and associate as a band in her de- 
fence, against every foe — hereby solemnly engaging, 
that, whenever our Continental and Provincial Council 
shall deem it necessary, we will go forth, and be ready 
to sacrifice our Uves and fortunes to secure her freedom 
and safety. This obligation to continue in force, until 
a reconciliation shall take place between Great Britain 
and America upon Constitutional principles — an event 
which we most ardently desire. And, we hold all those 
persons inimical to the liberty of the Colonies, who 
shall refuse to subscribe to this association." f 

Declarations similar to the above were passed in 
most of the Provinces, and we perceive that a final 
separation from the Mother Country was not as yet 
contemplated, the object in view extended no farther 
than to a redress of grievances. (It was not until a year 
later that on the 4th of July 1773, delegates from each 
state assembled at Philadelphia, and passed that cele- 
brated Declaration \^ich is now the charter of our 
liberties.) 

Two regiments were to be raised in South Carolina, 

* In the year 1775. t Vide Ramsay, vol 2. page 236. 



BATTLE AT FORT SULLIVAN. 17 

and Francis Marion was chosen a captain in the 
second, of which William Moultrie, under whonn Ma- 
rion had served in the Indian wars, was appointed 
colonel. The officers at once set about making re- 
cruits. Captain Horry, Marion's firm friend through- 
out all his future career, and who was electa^ an 
officer in the same regiment at the same time, accom- 
panied Marion on his recruiting expedition. 

Many amusing incidents are recorded as having 
occured to these officers in the duty upon which they 
were now engaged, but we pass over them to follow 
more particularly the momentous and chivalrous deeds 
of our hero, merely stating that the officers were suc- 
cessful in raising (notwithstanding the amount of 
Tory opposition they encountered) two regiments of 
South Carolinians. 

The erection of Fort Sullivan on Sullivan's Island 
was now commenced and rapidly proceeded with. The 
defence of this fort was confided to the gallant Moul- 
trie, wilfe about four hundred men, and thirty pieces of 
cannon. Daily in expectation of a British fleet, the 
men worked with untiring industry, and on the 31st of 
May,* a fleet appeared in sight. And now, for nearly 
a month, tides, calms and baffling winds, conspired to 
frustrate the fleet, and they were not enabled to get 
within the bar till the 27th of June. In the meantime 
the works of the fort were carried on, and indefatigable 
preparations made to receive the enemy. On the 
morning of the 28th, the fleet, commanded by Sir Peter 
Parker, came up with a fine breeze, and all sails set, 
before the fort and dropped anchor. Instantly the 
bombardment commenced. The British outnumbered 



* 1776. 
2* 



18 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

the Americans in men and guns. From the port 
holes of nine ships was an unceasing fire kept up, 
whilst the defenders of the fort, stripping off their coats, 
(the weather was very hot) fired their guns, loaded, 
fired again, and worked like men brave in a righteous 
cause. For eleven hours the action lasted, in which 
time such terrible destruction was made upon the 
enemy's fleet that Sir Peter Parker moved off, and the 
gallant defenders of the fort found themselves victorious 
over a foe that battled in the cause of tyranny. Con- 
spicuous throughout the action was Marion, and he 
often leveled the guns himself. He, Moultrie, and 
several of the officers, (such was their coolness in the 
midst of the balls that everywhere fell around them) 
smoked their pipes, laying them down only when their 
duties called them to give orders, or, as we said of 
Marion, when they relieved a soldier at a gun. 

During the action a ball from the fleet struck the 
flag-staff, which fell on the beach, outside of the breast- 
work, Jasper, a serjeant of grenadiers, immediately, in 
face of the enemy's fire, leaped over the ramparts, 
picked it up, regained the inside of the fort in safety, 
and restored the flag to its place. 

At one period of the action, the want of powder was 
severely felt by the Americans, and Marion, with a 
small party left the fort, seized upon an armed schooner, 
(it is said, and we have no reason to disbelieve the 
tradition) and thus obtained a supply of powder suffi- 
cient to keep up the fire until a quantity was received 
from Charleston. 

Tradition also awards to the aim of Marion the tremen- 
dous effect of the last shot that was fired from the fort. 
It was aimed at the Bristol, (the commodore's ship) and 
entering one of the cabin windows, struck down two 



THE BRITISH DEFEATED 19 

officers who were drinking, and, ranging through the 
bulk-heads and steerage, killed three sailors. This in- 
formation was got from five sailors of the British fleet, 
who that night deserted and came to the Americans. 

The loss of the British in this engagement, by their 
own account, was 113 killed and sixty wounded. Sir 
Peter Parker lost an arm upon the occasion. On the 
other side their was but about 12 killed and 25 
wounded. The vessels of the British, two of them 
especially, were greatly damaged, and one, called the 
Acteon run a ground and was afterwards burnt. 

This defence of Fort Sullivan (or Fort Moultrie, as 
it was subsequently named in honor of the brave man 
who so successfully commanded it upon this occasion) 
is one of the most brilliant achievements that the his- 
tory of our country records, and it was of incalcuable 
importance to the cause of liberty throughout the colo- 
nies. Moultrie was promoted to the rank of Brigadier 
General ; Marion to that of Lieutenant Colonel in the 
regular service. 



CHAPTER ir. 

Declaration of Independence. The British at Savannah 
— arrival of the French Fleet — activity oC Marion — the 
battle — deaths of Count Pulaski and Serjeant Jasper 
— Charlestown besieged by the Britigh — anecdote of 
Marion — surrender of Charleston — massacre of the 
Americans at the Waxhaw settiementa — hair-breadth 
escapes of Marion ; he retires to North Carolina, and 
joins the army under Gates. A description of Marion 
and his men. Battle. Gates defeated — brave conduct 
and glorious death of De Kalb. Marion and his men 
burning boats. 

The Declaration of Independence, proclaimed in 
Philadelphia on the 4th of July, was hailed m Charles- 
ton with great rejoicings, and the news of tin? battle of 
Fort Moultrie was welcomed in return with corres- 
ponding manifestations of joy at Philadelphia, and 
throughout the confederated colonies. 

The inhabitants of all the colonies, while colonies, 
admitted themselves bound by their allegiance to the 
king; but they disclaimed, altogether, the authority of 
parliament ; holding themselves, in this respect, to re- 
semble the condition. of Scotland and Ireland, before 
the respective unions of those kingdoms with England, 
when they acknowledged allegiance to the same king, 
but each had its separate legislature. The tie, there- 
fore, which our revolution was to break, did not sub- 
sist between us and the British parliament, or between 
us and the British government, in the aggregate ; but 
directly between us and the king himself. The colo- 

20 



SERJEANT JASPER. 21 

nies had never admitted themselves subject to par- 
liament. That was precisely the point of the original 
controversy. They had uniformly denied that parlia- 
ment had authority to make laws for them.* 

The South Carolianians expected another visit of the 
British, but they kept their fleet otherwise employed 
on the Northern coast, and it was not until the close of 
the year 1778 that the fleet again came south, and 
their destination turned out to be Savannath instead 
of Charleston. In December four thousand men were 
disembarked from their fleet of upwards of thirty sail. 

The great number of these loyalists in Georgia, 
encouraged the British, and, after the disembarkment 
of their troops and the fall of Savannah into their 
hands, they rapidly possessed themselves of Ebenezer, 
Abercorn, and other posts in the interior. General 
Lincoln commanded the forces of the Americans, but, 
so small was his number, he was unable to oppose the 
enemy with any degree of effect. 

While the main army of the British was encamped 
at Abercorn, the Americans lay but a few miles 
from them, on the Savannah, at a place called Purys- 
burg. And while at Purysburg, there occurred an 
adventure, the hero of which was one of Marion's men, 
and the gallant William Jasper, of whom we had occa- 
sion to speak in account of the defence of Fort Sullivan. 
" Jasper was a perfect Proteus, in ability to alter his 
appearance, perpetually entering the camp of the 
enemy without detection, and invariably returning to 
h'\s own, with soldiers he had seduced, or prisoners he 
had captured."! " He often went out," is the lan- 
guage of Moultrie, " and returned with prisoners 

* Paniel Webster, t Garden's Anecdotes. 



22 



MARION AND HIS TIMES. 



before I knew that he was gone. I have known of his 
catching a party that was looking for him. He has 
told me that he could have killed single men several 
times, but he would not ; he would rather let them off. 
He went into the British lines at Savannah, as a de- 
serter, complaining, at the same time, of our ill-usage 
of him. He was gladly received, (they having heard 
of his character) and caressed by them. He stayed 
eight days, and after informing himself well of their 
strength, situation and intentions, he returned to us 
again ; but this game he could not play a second time. 
VVith his little party he was always hovering about the 
enemy's camp, and was frequently bringing in pris- 
oners." 

Jasper had a brother who had espoused the other 
side of the contest, and was at this period in the British 
garrison at Ebenezer, holding the rank of a Ser- 
jeant. Wishing to see this brother, Jasper made his ' 
appearance in the British garrison, much to the alarm 
of the other. 

" What brings you here, William ! Your name is 
well known ! You will be hung for a spy I" agitatedly 
remarked the Tory brother. 

"Give yourself no uneasiness, brother," cooly re- 
plied Jasper — " I am no longer an American soldier." 

"I am glad to hear you say so, brother — glad to 
find you ready to serve the King !" exclaimed the Tory. 

" You mistake," said Jasper. " You presume I 
have come to enlist myself under the flag of England, 
but it is not so. Little as is the encouragement I have 
in fighting for my country, yet I have not the heart to 
fight against her, brother !" 



PKISONERS IN THE POBT. 23 

Jasper remained two or three days with his brother, 
and there is no doubt betook notice of all that invited 
his observation in the garrison. Bidding his brother 
adieu, he stole out of the garrison at night, and re- 
joined the Americans, reporting the amount of informa- 
tion he had picked up. 

Some weeks after this, Jasper took it into his head 
to pay his brother another visit at Ebenezer, taking 
along with him serjeanl Newton, a comrade, a 
strong and active man, and fully his own match in 
feats of daring and enterprize. The Tory brother 
received Jasper and Newton kindly, and the three 
passed away the time quite agreeably in the garrison. 

One day a party of prisoners were brought into the 
fort, on their way to Savannah, to which place a 
British officer was conducting them for trial. In 
speaking of the matter, " It will go hard with them," 
said Jasper's Tory brother. "It's my opinion they'll be 
hung certain, for they took arms with us and received 
the King's bounty; but when the American army raised, 
they broke their faith to the King and joined them." 

The prisoners were hand-cufied, and presented a 
pity-impressive sight to both Jasper and Newton, and 
the wife of one of the prisoners, with her child, followed 
her husband, deeply sympathizing in his misfortunes. 
Moved by this scene of distress, Jasper and Newton 
were deeply affected ; tears trickled from their eyes, 
and their emotions were of more than ordinary feeling. 
That distressed mother and her child, how could they 
look on them unmoved? The poor wife gazing with 
tear-streaming eyes upon the sad countenance of her 
hope-forsaken husband, appealing with her looks for 
pity and assistance ! 

From this distressing sight, the two friends stepped 



24 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

aside and conferred together. That the prisoners, 
under the circumstances in which they had been taken, 
would be tried, convicted and executed, was a matter of 
certainty, unless they were rescued from the hands of 
the guard before they reached Savannah. Talking 
over the matter, Jasper and Newton determined to 
risk their lives in an attempt to rescue the priso- 
ners. 

Presently, the prisoners, under a guard of eight men, a 
Serjeant and corporal, left the fort and proceeded on their 
route to Savannah. Soon after their departure, Jasper 
and Newton took leave of their Tory friend, and set out 
from the fort, taking a direction different from that 
upon which the guard had started with the prisoners. 
When they considered themselves beyond sight, the 
two friends struck into the forest and travelled hard 
after the guard, in sight of whom they came, and re- 
maining unseen themselves, dogged them mile after 
mile, eager for a chance to strike a blow for the un- 
happy captives. But, sanguine as they had been, the 
difficulty of accomplishing their object began to be 
apparent to them, for what could two unarmed men do 
against a guard of ten, each armed with a musket ? 
Notwithstanding this hopeless aspect of matters, the 
two friends followed on. 

Within two miles of Savannah there is a spring, 
famous for its good water, and at which travellers 
almost invariably stopped to drink and refresh. It oc- 
curred to Jasper that most likely the guard would halt 
at this spring ; and the hearts of the two friends were 
instantly animated with a revived hope that an oppor- 
tunity to rescue the captives might yet present itself. 
Immediately they hastened on by a short cut through 



RESCUE OF THE PRISONERS. 25 

the woods and reached the spring before the guard 
came in sight. Hiding themselves amidst the foliage 
and shade of shrubbery growing close to the spring, 
they lay waiting for the appearance of the guard 
which shortly came along, and, as Jasper had expect- 
ed, the Serjeant commanded a halt. The corporal, 
with four men, conducted the prisoners to the spring ; 
the Serjeant, with the other four, after grounding their 
arms near the road, following. 

The long walk had fatigued the hand-cuffed prison- 
ers, and they were granted permission to rest them- 
selves on the earth. They availed themselves of this, 
and the woman, with her child, sat next to her 
husband. Two men were ordered to keep guard; 
the others were to supply the captives with water 
from the spring. These last, stood their muskets 
against a tree, and having drank themselves, refilled 
their canteens to supply the prisoners. Now was the 
time for Jasper and his friend, and bursting out from 
their concealment, they seized upon the two muskets, 
and at once shot down the two men that were keeping 
guard. Clubbing their guns, the daring friends rushed 
forwai^d upon the astonished foe, and a conflict for the 
loaded guns of the fallen soldiers ensued. The brains 
of the sergeant and corporal were beaten in, and Jas- 
per and Newton secured the muskets. Such was the 
panic of the guard, growing out of the audacity and bold 
decision of the two Americans, that, without any 
farther resistance, they surrendered. 

The handcuffs of the captives were now broken off, 

and a musket was placed in the hands of each. With 

the captured British, and the released Americans, the 

brave Jasper and his friend now hurried away from 

3 



26 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

the spring, and reached the army at Purysburg in 
safety. 

The war was carried on with various success, until 
September, 1779, when a French fleet, under Count 
D'Estaign made its appearance on the coast. A junc- 
tion between the French and American forces was 
effected before the walls of Savannah, which resulted 
disastrously to the Americans in consequence of the 
ill-advised measures adopted by the French admiral. 
It is generally believed that if the action had at once 
commenced, the besiegers would have conquered, or 
that the alarmed garrison would have struck their 
colors without firing a single bullet ; and we are war- 
ranted in this supposition by the words of several of 
the English officers who subsequently became pri- 
soners. Marion, and the officers of the Americans, 
advised a sudden attack, but the French commander 
thought proper to send a flag, " very politely" as the 
indignant VVeems sarcastically expresses it, " inviting 
the town to do him the extreme honor of receiving 
their surrender^ In reply, the British commander 
asked twenty-four hours to consider upon the matter. 
The courtly D'Estaing committed the fatal error of 
granting this request, and there was but one opinion 
throughout the American ranks in regard to this indul- 
gence upon the part of the Frenchman, fully fon- 
vinced as they were that the situation of the besieged 
was in no condition to resist the attack, but that the 
time granted them for deliberation would be energeti- 
cally employed in fortifying themselves. And such 
was the case. The British commander promptly sent 
for reinforcements to Sunbury and Beaufort, from both 
of which places he was supplied, and his fortress so 



SIEGE OP SAVANNAH. 27 

well manned that he boldly defied the combined French 
and Americans. 

The course pursued by Count D'Estaing highly ex- 
asperated Marion. " My God !" he exclaimed,* "who 
ever heard of any thing like this before? First allow 
an enemy to entrench, then fight him ! See the de- 
struction' brought upon the British at Bunker's Hill! 
And yet our troops there were only militia ! raw half- 
armed clodhoppers, and not a mortar, or carronade ; 
not even a swivel, but only their ducking-guns ! VVhat 
then are we to expect from regulars, completely armed 
with a choice train of artillery, and covered by a 
breast-work? For my own part, when I look upon 
my brave fellows around me, it wrings my heart to 
think how near most of them are to their bloody 
graves !" 

The suspicions of Marion and his brother officers as 
to a rvse de guerre, intended by the British commander 
were fully verified, for at the expiration of the twenty, 
four hours, he announced his determination to defend 
the place. The siege was now commenced, and con- 
tinued for several days with little or no effect. It was 
not until the 9th of October that it "was resolved to 
storm the British entrenchments, when " the whole 
army then marched towards the skirt of the wood in 
one long column, and as they approached the open 
place, was to break off into different -columns, as or- 
dered for the attack. But, by the time the first French 
column had arrived at the open space, the day ha 1 
fairly broke; when Count D'Estaign, without waiting 
until the other columns had arrived at their position, 
placed himself at the head of his first column, and 

• Wecms. 



28 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

rushed forward to the attack. The column was sc 
severely galled by the grape-shot from the batteries, a: 
they advanced, and by both grape-shot and musketry 
when they reached the abbatis, that, in spite of th( 
efforts of the officers, it got into confusion, and brokt 
away to their left, toward the wood in that direction 
the second and third French columns shared, sue 
cessively, the same fate, having the additional discour 
agement of seeing, as they marched to the attack, tht 
repulse and loss of their comrades who had precedec 
them. Count Pulaski, who, with the cavalry, precedec 
the right column of the Americans, proceeded gallantls 
until stopped by the abbatis; and before he coulc 
force through it received his mortal wound."* 

Great valor was displayed in this attack, but sc 
strongly posted were the British, and so deadly was 
their fire, the French and Americans were finall) 
obliged to retreat, with great loss, upwards of si.x hun 
dred Frenchmen, and four hundred and fifty Ameri 
cans, being left dead upon the field and in the ditches 

Serjeant Jasper, who so gallantly replaced the fla^ 
on the ramparts of Fort Moultrie, received a morta 
wound in this engagement. A set of elegant colors 
(presented to the army after the defence of Fort Moul 
trie by Mrs. Bernard Elliot) during the heat of the con 
test, were planted on the enemy's entrenchments, anc 
near where they floated in the air, the rage of the bat 
tie was hottest. Jasper was in thickest of the fight 
and conducted himself throughout the action witl 
signal bravery. At the moment the retreat was sound' 
ed, he thought of the colors, and sprang upon the ene 
my's works to sieze them and bear them off. He sue 

* Garden's Anecdotes of the Revolution. 



ARRIVAL OP THE BRITISH. 31 

ceeded, but received a mortal wound in the act. His 
death was deeply lamented, as was that of Count Pu- 
laski, Lieut. Bush, Lieut. Grey, Alexander Hume, Esq. 
and others. 

Afier the action a flag was sent to the garrison, the 
Americans and French asking permission to bury their 
dead, which sad office to the remains of the brave men 
who had perished, was done by digging pits in the 
earth of a size to contain a great number of corpses, 
which, stripped of their clothes, were promiscuously 
consigned to their rest. So soon as the burying of the 
dead was concluded, Count D'Estaign, with his artil- 
lery and troops, hurried aboard the French fleet, and 
sailed from the coast. The Americans returned to 
South Carolina. 

The city of Charleston was now threatened by the 
enemy. General Lincoln, commander of the Ameri- 
cans, proceeded to the city, leaving Marion in com- 
mand at Sheldon. In February, 1760, Marion was 
ordered to Bacon's bridge on Ashley river, where 
troops were daily accumulating to defend the city. The 
drilling and disciplining of the militia devolved upon 
him, and the citizens generally exhibited a prompt 
alacrity in acquiring a knowledge and practice of the 
duties of military Ufe. That the British would make 
the attack upon Charleston, scarcely a citizen doubted, 
so many matters conjoined to incite them on to the 
undertaking. Their late victory at Savannah, and un- 
controlled sway of Georgia, together with the nume- 
rous tories in North Carolina and Florida ready to as- 
sist them, gave them so much encouragement, that 
early in the year. Sir Henry Clinton, with ten thou- 
sand troops and a heavy train of artillery, arrived 
from New York, and invested the city. There were 



32 MABION AND HIS TIMES. 

of the Americans, in all, four thousand to defend the 
fortifications, two thousand regular troops, and two 
thousand militia ; and the small-pox having made its 
appearance in the city, the country militia were de- 
terred from coming in,, dreading the disease much 
more than they did the formidability of the British, 
With this small number opposed to the ten thousand 
of the enomy (the latter fully armed, the former but 
scantily supplied with arms and ammunition) the be- 
sieged held out for six weeks, yielding rather by fam- 
ine than the arms of the besiegers. 

It is most probably owing to the following accident 
that Marion was not among the captured when the 
city was taken. During the siege, he was one day 
dining at the house of a friend, who, having drank loo 
much himself, pressed his mistaken hospitality upon 
Marion and other of his guests, with the avowed ob- 
ject of making all of his company as inebriated as , 
himself. Marion did not feel in a humor to submit to 
this species of social slavery, though at the same time 
anxious to avoid giving offence; and, in this strait, he 
bethought him of the window — the door of the apart- 
ment having actually been locked by the host, and the 
key secured in his pocket, so determined was he to 
gor^e his companions with liquor. Marion, having 
military duties to perform, and unwilling to insist upon 
being pern)itted to take his departure by the door, 
thought of the window, and at once, notwithstanding 
the dining-room was on the second story, rose from the 
table, threw up a window and leaped out. Each au- 
thor who has written of Marion relates this anecdote, 
and in Weems we have the name of the host (Alex- 
ander M'Queen) and the street (Tradd) mentioned. 
By this leap, Marion broke his ankle, which entirely 



ARTICLES OP CAPITULATION. 33 

incapacitated him for service, and General Lincoln 
ordered him to retire into the country until his lame, 
ness should be healed, and he should be able to return 
lo active duty. So severe was the hurt he had received, 
he was taken from the city in a litter, and retired to 
his seat in the parish of St. Johns, Berkeley county. 

This accident to Marion is regarded as a fortunate 
occurence for his country; Charleston and its defen- 
ders falling into the hands of the British, and the prob- 
ability that he would have been among those that 
were captured, had he been in the city at the time of 
its surrender. 

It was on the 12th of May, 1780, that Gen. Lin- 
coin, who had confidently expected hope from the 
country militia, finding his hopes vain, surrendered ; 
the terms of capitulation being that " the militia were 
to be permitted to return to their respective homes, as 
prisoners on parole, and while they adhered to their 
parole, were not to be molested in their persons or 
property." Sir Henry Clinton now turned his atten- 
tion to the business of re-establishing the authority of 
George III. in the province. As a first step to this 
object he issued a proclamation, dated June 1, 1780, 
the purport of which was an offer to the inhabitants, 
on condition of their submission, pardon for past offences, 
a reinstatement in their rights, and exemption from taxes 
excepting those passed by their own legislature. This 
proclamation was followed by the disposition of gar- 
risons in different parts of the country, to overawe the 
patriots and shelter the tories. At the same time over 
2000 soldiers were marched towards North Carolina. 

The inhabitants were encouraged to stay on their 
plantations, with the prospect of neutrality ; but in a 
very short time these delusive hopes vanished. In- 



34 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

stead of drawing off the people gradually from an 
attachment to their late constitution, the conquerors jli 
were so far mistaken as to suppose that men could be 
instantly transformed from obstinate rebels to zealous 
royalists. 

The British confined some of their first prisoners in 
the miitJts with the dead. When the number of priso- 
ners multiplied, they were crowded on board prison- 
ships, where they suffered every inconvenience that 
could result from putrid air, and want of the com- 
forts of life. This was done not only to those who 
surrendered at discretion, but also to the private 
soldiers who were entitled to the benefit of the capitu- 
lation of Charleston. The condition of these unfor- 
tunate men was truly deplorable. They were crowded 
on board these prison-ships in such numbers that seve- 
ral were obliged to stand up for want of room to lie 
down. The state of South Carolina ^ould afford them , 
no supply ; Congress could not at that time command 
hard money for their relief. Wine and such like 
comforts, particularly necessary for the sick in south- 
ern climates, were denied them from the British 
hospitals. 

In the meantime a Continental expedition, under 
command of Col. Beaufort, was advancing from Vir- 
ginia to the relief of Charleston. Beaufort had reach- 
ed Camden ere he was aware of the surrender of the 
city, the tidings of which induced him to retreat. Corn- 
wallis, who commanded the British force on its way to 
North Carolina, sent forward the notorious Col. Tarle- 
ton, with 700 men, infantry and cavalry. The Ameri- 
cans, under Beaufort, were but 400 in number Tarle- 
ton overtook the Americans at the Waxhaw settle- 
meats, summoned them to surrender,and before Beaufort 



MARION AND HORRY. 35 

had time to reply, the British, hrave because a weak 
opponent was before them, made an impetuous attack, 
and mercilessly massacred every man that surren- 
dered. " Tarleton's quarters" became a byword here- 
after, and in subsequent battles, the recollection of 
this massacre embittered the hostility with which the 
patriots of the south regarded their enemy.* 

The butchery of these men, and the cruelties of the 
British after the fall of Charleston, exasperated the 
patriots so deeply that, far from accommodating them- 
selves to the measures of Sir Henry Clinton, whose 
object was, as has been stated, the re-establishment 
of British authority in the province, they collected to- 
gether in squads throughout the country, and, putting 
themselves under the command of such of their officers 
as escaped becoming prisoners of war, bade defiance 
to British arms. Moultrie and others were prisoners, 
but Sumpter, Horry and Marion were at large, and 
were each as ready to take command as were the in- 
dignant patriots to enlist themselves. Marion, whose 
skill and intrepidity had made him particularly objec- 
tionable to the tories, was now eagerly sought for by 
the British, and no measures were left untried to cap- 
ture him. He suffered much from the hurt he received 
by leaping from Mr. M'Queen's dining-room, and in 
this state he was necessitated to take refuge amid the 
swamps and forests, surrounded as he was by malignant 
enemies who were eager to give him up to the enemy. 
But, after passing through innumerable hardships and 
perils, often within an inch as it were of being captured, 
he finally escaped into North Carolina with a few de- 
voted friends, and there fell in with his gallant friend 

* Vide Lee's Memoirs of the Southern War. 



36 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

Horry. Without money and without resources, the 
two friends made their way to the American army, 
raised by Congress for the purpose of recovering South 
Carolina. This army, which had set forward under 
command of De Kalb, was now placed under Gates, 
whose victory at Saratoga^* had given him a brilliant 
reputation. He was ordered by Congress to take the 
chief direction of the southern campaign. It is gene 
rally conceded that Horatio Gates was a man of but 
moderate abilities ; that he was vain, and fond of 
parade and external show. Col. Horry (vide VVeems) 
says of him: "As a gentleman, few camps or 
courts ever produced his superior. But, though a per- 
f<^ct Chesterfield at court, in camp he was certainly 
but a Paris. 'Tis true, at Saratoga he got his temples 
stuck round with laurels as thick as a May-day queen 
with gaudy flowers. And, though the greater part of 
this was certainly-the gallant workmanship of Arnold 
and Morgan, yet did it so hoist General Gates in the 
opinion of the nation, that many of his dear friends, 
with a prudent regard, no doubt, to their own dearer 
selves, had the courage to bring him forward on the 
military turf and run him for the generalissimoship 
against the great Washington." 

When Gates joined the army, he was advised to 
proceed southward by a circuitous route, where pro- 
visions would be plenty; but, turning a deaf ear to 
counsel, he determined to rush on with all speed to 
encounter the British. From the pen of Col. Otho 
Williams, an Adjutant General in Gates' army, we 
have the following description of him and his men. 
" Col. Marion, a gentleman of South Carolina, had 

• October, 1777. 



MARION BURNING BOATS. 37 

been with the army a few days, attended by a very 
few followers, distinguished by small leather caps, and 
the wretchedness of their attire : their number did not 
exceed twenty men and boys, some white, some black, 
and all mounted, but most of them miserably equip- 
ped ; their appearance was in fact so burlesque, that 
it was with much difficulty the diversion of the regu- 
lar soldiery was restrained by the officers ; and the 
General himself was glad of an opportunity of de- 
taching Col. Marion, at his own instance, towards the 
interior of South Carolina, with orders to watch the 
motions of the enemy, and furnish intelligence." 

Marion and histnen accordingly received orders to 
penetrate South Carolina in advance of the army, with 
instructions to destroy scows, burn boats, and do every 
thing that could tend to prevent the escape of the 
enemy, so confident was Gates of a victory over the 
British. Marion and his friend Horry set forward 
through a country thickly infested by tories, and vigor- 
ously prosecuted their business of boat-burning. The 
main army took up its line of march through a dreary 
tract of country, and hunger and fatigue were the con- 
sequences. General Gates, whether he perceived his 
error or not, pushed straight forward for Camden, and 
" his only resource for meat was the lean beasts which 
were accidentally picked up in the woods. Meal and 
grain were also very scarce ; and as substitutes for 
bread, the soldiers were obliged to have recourse to 
the green corn and fruits which they met with. The 
consequence of unwonted diet was, that the army was 
thinned by dysentery and other diseases usually caused 
by the heat of the weather, and by unwholesome 
food." * 

* Frost's Hist. United States. 
4 



«50 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

Gates, on reaching the frontiers of South Carolina, 
issued a proclamation, " inviting the inhabitants to 
join his standard, and offering an amnesty to such of 
them as, under the pressure of circumstances, had pro- 
mised allegiance to the British government." This 
proclamation was not without effect, but it did not 
\>nng forth the numbers he calculated it would, and he 
could muster in all not 5000 men. Yet he determined 
to persevere, and marched about 10 o'clock at night 
on the 15th of August (leaving his position near Ruge- 
ley's mills, twelve miles from Camden) to surprise the 
cnnmy. The same movement was made by Cornwal- 
lis, who at 2 o'clock that night set forward to surprise 
the Americans in their camp. Mutual was the aston- 
ishment of both armies at this encounter. Some firing 
took place, rather to the advantage of the British, but 
was soon discontinued, both parties willing to leave the 
matter to be decided by daylight. De Kalb now ad- 
vised that the army should fall back to its position at' 
Rtigelcy's mills, and await an attack from the enemy, 
llis counsel was over-ruled, however, and early on 
the next morning both sides prepared for action, which 
commenced " by the advance of 200 of the British in 
front of the American artillery, who received them 
with a steady fire. Gates then ordered the Virginia 
militia to advance under the command of Colonel Ste- 
ven's, who cheerfully obeyed the orders of his com- 
mander-in-chief, and when he had led his men within 
firing distance, urged them to charge the enemy with 
their bayonets. This portion of the army, however, did 
not emulate the galkintry of their leader. Lord Corn- 
wallis, observing their movement, ordered Colonel Web- 
ster to attack them. This order was obeyed with a 
loud cheer," and the Americans yielded before the se- 



DEFEAT OP THE AMERICANS 



39 



verity of the British fire, many of them panic-struck 
and flying without even discharging their muskets. 
Gates hurried from the field to rally the militia, whilst 
the brave De Kalb and his Continentals alone kept 
their ground, and stood the fury of the charge. The 
gallant De Kalb, at the commencement of the battle, 
had leaped from his horse, drawn his sword, and led 
his command on foot. Never did men battle with more 
bravery than he and his handfull of Continentals, sus- 
taining the shock of an overpowering host, amidst the 
death-dealing cannon and muskets that slaughtered 
their ranks. Cheering and animating his men> De 
Kalb received eleven wounds, and at last, faint from 
the loss of blood, fell to the ground. 

"The whole of the baggage and artillery of the 
Americans fell into the hands of the enemy, and the 
fugitives were pursued by the British cavalry for the 
space of twenty miles. So complete was this defeat 
that, on the second day after the engagement. General 
Gates could only muster 150 of his soldiers at Charles- 
ton, a town in the south of North Carolina, whence he 
retreated farther north to Salisbury, and afterwards to 
Hillsborough. 

" To add to the misfortunes of the Americans, the 
defeat of Gates was immediately followed by the sur- 
prise and dispersion of Sumpter's partisan corps. This 
* brave officer had succeeded in capturing the convoy 
with the British stores, but hearing of Gates's defeat, 
he began to retreat with his prisoners and stores.* 
Tarleton, with his legion and a detachment of infantry, 
pursued with such celerity as to overtake and surprise 
him at Fishing creek. All the artillery and stores fell 

* Forty wagons of booty and three hundred prisoners. 



40 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

into the Tiands of the British, and the whole detach- 
ment was either killed, captured or dispersed. Their 
prisoners were of course all retaken." * 

Marion and his men were busy executing orders in 
destroying boats when the disastrous tidings of the 
army's defeat reached them. 

♦ Frost's United States. 



CHAPTER III. 

British atrocities. Proclamation of Sir Henry Clinton. 
Major James sent to Captain Ardesoiff; interview be- 
tween them; insulting language of Ardesoiff and its 
consequences. Rising of the patriots at Williams- 
burg. Tarleton retreats from Capt. M'Cottry. Mr. 
Bradley's house burned and himself taken prisoner — 
his inhuman treatment. Marion leaping the barrier 
— Sumpter''s chivalry — General Pickens. — Col. Davie 
routs the British — British again repulsed — battle of 
King^s mountain — a large force of the British surren- 
der to Jive Americans—desperate conflict between the 
Whigs and Tories — death of Capt, Falls.— Marion — de- 
scription of his personal appearance. Marion defeats 
a party of Tories under Capt. Gainey. Marion at 
PosVs Ferry — rescue of prisoners at the Blue House. 
Defeat of Wemyss. Gallant victory of Marion and 
his brigade over the Tories at Black Mingo. 

" The sickliness of the season prevented Lord Corn- 
wallis from attempting to pursue the remains of General 
Gates' army ; b#t he employed the leisure now afforded 
him in inflicting vengeance on such of the inhabitants 
of South Carolina as had been induced to join the Ame- 
rican standard. The military men he doomed to 
the gallows. The property of the fugitives, and of 
the declared friends of Independence, he confiscated ; 
and he seized a number of the most respectable citi- 
zens of Charleston, and most of the military officers 
residing there under faith of the late capitulation, and 
sent them to St. Augustine."* 

• Frost. 
4* . 



42 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

Of those confined in the prison-ships, upwards of 
eight hundred, nearly one-third of the whole, exhaust- 
ed by a variety of sufferings, expired after a short 
captivity. The citizens of the town, who adhered to 
their paroles, were treated with great severity. Though 
they were not allowed rations, yet they were debarred 
from trade, and from exercising any profession ; and 
the king's subjects were strictly enjoined not to employ 
them on any pretence. 

Reduced to desperation by these injudicious severi- 
ties, and British treachery rendering them indignant, 
(for in less than a month after his first proclamation 
Sir Henry Clinton issued a second which rendered 
nugatory the privilege granted by the other) the bold 
and active patriots formed themselves anew into parti-, 
san bands under different chieftains, among whom 
Marion and Sumpter were most distinguished by their 
spirit and enterprize. The first proclamation suffered 
the people to remain undisturbed upon parole, and 
such of the Carolinians as had accepted it, were now, 
by this second proclamation, not suffered to remain in 
this condition of allegiance, but actually commanded to 
take up arms in support of His Majesty's government. 
At this the majority revolted. They had resigned 
themselves to the prospect of being lookers-on, but to 
shed the blood of brothers with whom they had hitherto 
fought side by side — that they could not be brought to. 
The following is an anecdote illustrative of this crisis. 

In the month of June 1780, a British captain, named 
Ardesoiff, arrived at Georgetown and published a pro- 
clamation, inviting the people to come in, swear alle- 
giance to king George, and take protection. Many of 

* Ramsay's History of South Carolina. 



MAJOR JAMES AND CAPT. ARDESOIFF. 43 

the inhabitants of Georgetown submitted. But there 
remained a portion of that district, stretching from the 
Santee to the Pedee, containing the whole of the present 
Williamsburg and part of Marion district, into which 
the British arms had not penetrated. The inhabitants 
of it w-ere generally of Irish extraction, and very little 
disposed to submission. At this crisis there was a 
meeting of this people to deliberate on their situation. 
Major John James, who had heretofore commanded 
them in the field, and represented them in the state 
legislature, was selected as the person who should go 
down to Captain ArdesoifF and know from him upon 
what terms they would be allowed to submit. Accord- 
ingly he proceeded to Georgetown in the plain garb 
of a jfountry planter, and was introduced to the cap- 
tain nt his lodgings. 

After Major James had explained the nature of his 
mission, Capt. Ardesoiff, surprised that such an em- 
bassy should be sent to him, answered " that submis- 
sion must be unconditional." To an inquiry 'from 
Major James as to whether the inhabitants would be 
allowed to stay at home upon their plantations in peace 
and quiet, Ardesoiff replied, " Though you have re- 
belled against his majesty, he offers you a free par- 
don, of which you are undeserving, for you ought all 
to be hanged ! As he offers you a free pardon, you 
must take up arms in his cause." 

*' The people I represent will never submit to such 
[terms," said Major James, boldly. 

" Represent /" Ardesoiff emphatically repeated — 
" Represent ! You rebel ! if you speak in such lan- 
guage, I will immediately cause you to be hanged up 
to the yard-arm !" And the irritated captain pointed 



44 MARION AND Hl[S TIMES. 

/ 

through the window, at which he was sitting, to the 
ship which he commanded lying in the river and within 
sight. 

xMajor James, not relishing this language, and his 
blood being up, sprung in an instant to his feet, and 
seizing the chair he had been sitting on, dealt a i)Iow 
at Ardesoiif that sprawled the insolent tool of tyranny 
upon the floor. " Take that, d — n you I" exclaimed 
the justly indignant major, as he struck the blow. In 
another instant, before ArdesoifF had time to recover 
and give the alarm, he was out of the house, had 
mounted his horse, and was far enough away from 
Georgetown before pursuit could be attempted. 

As soon as the major reached Williamsburg, the 
whole adventure was related, and the spirit displayed 
by him acted like an electric-shock in arousing 
others ; and it was unanimously determined by the 
citizens that they would again take up arms in defence 
of their country and not against her. Major James 
was desired to command them as heretofore, and they 
arranged themselves under their revolutionary cap- 
tains, William M'Cottry, Henry Mouzon, and John 
James, Junior. The latter was a cousin of the major. 

The small band thus resolved on further resistance 
to British tyranny consisted of but about two hundred 
men. Tt was agreed to despatch a messenger to Gen. 
Gates, who about this time had arrived upon the con- 
fines of the state, requesting him to send them a com- 
mander. 

Shortly after this, Col. Tarleton, with a force of 
British, crossed the Santee at Lenad's ferry, and 
hearing of the late proceedings in Williamsburg, ap- 
proached at the head of his cavalry to surprise the 



TREACHERY OF TARLETON. 45 

party of major James ; but Capt. M'Cottry, as soon as 
he received notice of his movements, marched his 
company of fifty men to give him battle. Tarleton 
was posted at King's Tree bridge, on Black river ; and 
M'Cottry approached him at midnight ; but by means 
of the wife of one of the loyalists of that part of the 
country, Tarleton gained intelligence of M'Cottry's 
movements, and marched away a few hours before the 
latter arrived. M'Cottry pursued him, but without effect. 

In this route Tarleton burned the house of Capt. 
Mouzon, and took Mr. James Bradley prisoner. He 
took this gentleman by stratagem. He came to his house 
and passed himself ofT for Col. Washington of the 
American army. Bradley made much of his guest, and 
without suspicion freely communicated to him the 
plans and views of himself and the Carolinians for co- 
operating with their countrymen against the British. 
When the interview and its hospitalities were ended, 
Tarleton requested Bradley to accompany him as a 
guide to a neighboring place. This service was cheer- 
fully performed. On their arrival, Tarleton's party 
appeared in full view, and took charge of Bradley as a 
prisoner. The host thus taken by order of his late 
guest was sent to Camden jail, and there confined in 
irons.* 

Marion, when in service, rode one of the fleetest and 
most powerful chargers the south could produce. When 
in fair pursuit, nothing could escape, and when retreat- 
ing, nothing could overtake him. Being once nearly 
surrounded by a party of British dragoons, he was com- 
pelled, for safety, to pass into a corn-field, by leaping 
the fence. This field, marked with a considerable de- 

* See Appendix A. 



46 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

scent of surface, had been, in part, a marsh. Marion 
entered it, at the upper side. The dragoons, in chase, 
leapt the fence also, and were but a short distance be- 
hind him. So completely was he now within their 
power, that his only mode of escape was to pass over 
the fence at the lower side. 

But here lay a difficulty, which, to all but himself, 
appeared insurmountable. To drain the ground of its 
superfluous waters, a trench had been cut around this 
part of the field, four feet wide, and of the same depth. 
Of the mud and clay, removed in cutting it, a bank 
had been formed on its inner side, and on top of this 
was erected the fence. The elevation of the whole 
amounted to more than seven feet perpendicular height. ; 
a ditch, four feet in width, running parallel with it, on 
the outside, and a foot, or more, of space intervening 
between the fence and the ditch. 

The dragoons, acquainted with the nature and extent 
of this obstacle, and considering it innpossible for their 
enemy to pass it, pressed towards him, with loud shouts 
of exultation and insult, and summoned him to surren- 
der, or perish by the sword. Regardless of their 
rudeness, and empty clamor, and inflexibly deter- 
mined not to become their prisoner, Marion spurred 
his horse to the charge. The noble animal, as if con- 
scious that his master's life was in danger, and that 
on his exertion depended its safety, approached the 
barrier, in his finest style, and with a bound that was 
almost supernatural, cleared completely the fence and 
ditch, and recovered himself without injury, on the 
opposite side. 

Marion, now facing his pursuers, who had halted at 
the fence, unable to pass it, discharged his pistols at 
them, without effect, and then, wheeling his horse, and 



ENTHUSIASM OF SUMPTER. 49 

bidding them "good morning," with an air of triumph, 
dashed into an adjoining thicket, and disappeared in an 
instant. 

Astonished at what tliey had witnessed, and scarcely 
believing their foe to be mortal, the dragoons immedi- 
ately abandoned the pursuit. "^ 

In. another district of the same state, more elevated, 
drier, and therefore, more healthy, but less suited to 
partisan and predatory operations, because less abun- 
dant in fortresses and retreats, flourished General 
Sumpter, a second warrior of freedom, terrible in ac- 
tion, and peculiarly fitted for the place he occupied. 
Greatly superior to General Marion in personal 
strength, and trusting less to stratagem and skill, he 
placed his fortune much more exclusively on his 
daring resolution and the execution of his sword. 
Warm in temperament, and devoted to his country, 
whatever could contribute to rescue her from the in- 
vader, and establish her independence became an ob- 
ject of his ardent affection. He was also enamored 
of brilliant achievement f )r its own sake. To victory, 
and the glory attending it, he would cut his way through 
every danger, regardless alike of his own blood and 
that of his enemy. into his brave associates, the 
hardy and powerful sons of the hilly country, he 
infused an abundant portion of his own spirit. 
Attached to his person, and inflamed by his enthu- 
siasm, this dauntless corps fallowed him with alac- 
rity through every difficulty and every peril. To 
them, as to himself, the sight of an enemy be- 
came an object of pleasure. Accustomed to con- 
quer, even when greatly outnumbered, they regarded 

* Caldwell's Life of Green. 
5 



50 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

the order to prepare for battle as little else than an 
invitation to triumph. This was peculiarly the case 
when none but royalists were the object of their attack. 

Thus formidable in himself and his followers, the 
tories of his district began to tremble at the approach, 
and even the name of Sumpter; and the British, them- 
selves, were compelled to respect him. His only object 
being the conquest or destruction of his enemy, and 
the liberation of his country, he was not very scrupu- 
lous in his mode of warfare. Retaliation, in every 
form, he deemed justifiable. Hence, he sternly re- 
torted on his adversaries whatever means they em- 
ployed against him. If they inhumanly resorted to 
conflagration or the gibbet, he was not very reluctant 
to avenge the outrage by similar measures. The en- 
tire annihilation of an invading foe, whose end was 
subjugation, and every form of violence their means, 
as well as of the miscreant inhabitants who flocked to 
their banner, he held to be a duty. 

Possessing this general fitness for the crisis, his ca- 
reer was fertile in enterprise and deeds of heroism. 
If, from a want of due precaution, or from an exuber- 
ance of courage, misfortune and defeat sometimes as- 
sailed him, they neither broke his spirit nor enfeebled 
his hopes. Unmoved as the firmest Roman in the 
best times of the commonwealth, he never despaired 
of the arms of his coiintry. With an inflexible resolu- 
tion to witness her triumph, or not to surviye her 
overthrow, he pressed towards his object with direct 
aim and unrelaxing vigor, and would have reduced his 
district to the condition of a desert rather than suffer 
the enemy to be master of it. 

In brigadier General Pickens appeared a third cham- 
pion of freedom, worthy of the glorious cause he had 



BRIGADIER GENERAL PICKENS. 51 

espoused. Without so much experience in war, and 
with a character less strongly marked than his two 
cotemporaries, because he was younger, he rendered, 
notwithstanding, to his suffering fellow-citizens very 
important services. Gallant, enterprising and sensible; 
of a popular deportment, devotedly attached to the in- 
dependence of his country, and possessing no incon- 
siderable share of natural eloquence, he drew around 
him, like Sumpter, from another district of the hilly 
region, a band of followers, hardy, active and enamored' 
of danger. 

At the head of these, capable himself of great exer- 
tion, and uncommonly patient of privation and toil, he 
was indefatigable in his movements, traversing an ex- 
tensive circuit of country, intercepting scouts, striking 
[it foraging parties, and attacking, and sometimes car- 
rying, posts, until he rendered himself exceedingly 
formidable to his enemies. In the worst times, he 
was at once a rallying point and a source of reliance 
to the friends of freedom in a large district ; he illustrated 
his career with numerous achievements of usefulness 
and renown, and proved himself an able partisan officer. 
But, successful as he was, in many of his enterprises, 
his most substantial services consisted, not so much in 
the work of his sword, as in keeping alive a spirit of 
resistance, and saving the people from despondency 
and submission. For it is, in the political, as in the 
animal body — while a spark of life remains, resuscita- 
tion is possible ; but, in either, real death is. absolute 
despair. 

In another district of country, still further from the 
sea-board, composed of sections of North and South 
Carolina, where those two states join, arose a fourth 
partisan officer, of high character and merit, who, at 



52 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

the gloomiest period of the southern disasters, did much 
to prevent and punish the atrocities of the royalists, cir- 
cumscribe the range and influence of British detach- 
ments, and sustain the wavering spirits of his friends. 
This was Colonel Davie, afterwards Governor of North 
Carolina, one of our embassadors to France at a very- 
portentous conjuncture, and afterwards a private gentle- 
man, reposing in the lap of science, resident on his 
estate in the same tract of country which he had 
protected. This distinguished leader, although younger 
by several years, possessed talents of a higher order, 
and was much more accomplished in education and 
manners, than either of his three competitors for fime. 
For the comeliness of his person, his martial air, his 
excellence in horsemanship, and his consummate powers 
of field eloquence, he had scarcely an equal in the 
armies of his country. So sonorous and powerful was 
his voice, so distinct his articulation, and so command- 
ing his delivery, that the distance to which he could be 
heard was almost incredible. But his chief excellence 
lay in the magnanimity and generosity of his soul, his 
daring courage, his vigilance and address, and his un- 
relaxing nctivity and endurance of toil. So ardent was 
his attachment to the cause of freedom, and so disin- 
terested his efforts to promote it, that, in equipping for 
the field his corps of followers, he expended his whole 
patrimonial estate. 

At the head of these, his exertions were unremitting, 
and his eflSciency great. If he was less frequently 
engaged in actual combat than either of his three 
more southernly compeers, it was not because he was 
inferior to them in enterprise or love of battle. His 
district being more interior, was at first less frequently 
invaded by British detachments ; and the terror of his 



PATRIOTISM OF COL. DAVIE. 5^ 

arms, either kept the royalists from embodying, or 
compelled them to scatter and fly at his approach. 
When, however, Lord Cornwall is ultimately advanced 
into that quarter, his scouts and foraging parties found 
Col. Davie and his brave associates as formidable an 
enemy as they had ever encountered. At the two 
gloomiest epochs of the southern war, soon after the 
fall of Charleston, and the overthrow of Gates, it was 
the good fortune of Col. Davie to be the first to shed a 
gleam through the surrounding darkness, and give 
hope to the country, by the brilliancy of his exploits. 
In one instance, without loss or injury on his part, he 
entirely destroyed an escort of provisions, taking forty 
prisoners, with their horses and arms. In the other, 
under the immediate eye of a large British force, which 
was actually beating to arms to attack him, he routed 
a party stronger than his own, killing and wounding 
sixty of the enemy, and carrying off with him ninety- 
six horses and one hundred and twenty stand of arms. 
The only injury which he himself sustained, in his com- 
mand, was one man wounded. This affair occurred at 
Wahab's farm, in the Waxhaw settlement.* 

When Lord Cornwallis entered Charlotte, a small 
village in North Carolina, Colonel Davie, at the head 
of his detachment, threw himself in his front, deter- 
mined to give him a specimen of the firmness and gal- 
lantry with which the inhabitants of the place were 
prepared to dispute with his lordship their native soil. 

Colonel Tarleton's legion formed the British van, led 
by Major Hanj/er, the commander himself being con- 
fined by sickness. When that celebrated corps had 
advanced near to the centre of the village, where the 

* Caldwell's Life of Greene. 

5* 



54 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

Americans were posted, Davie poured into it so destruc- 
tive a fire, tliat it immediately wheeled and retreated 
in disorder. Being rallied on the commons, and again 
led on to the charge, it received, on the same spot, 
another fire, with a similar etTect. Lord Cornwallis, 
witnessing the confi.ision thus produced among his 
choicest troops, rode up in person, and in a tone of dis- 
satisfaction, upbraided the legion with unsoldierly con- 
duct, reminding it of its former exploits and reputation. 

Pressed on his flanks by the British infantry. Col. 
Davie had now fallen back to a new and well selected 
position. To dislodge him from this, the legion cavalry 
advanced on him a third time, in rapid charge ; in full 
view of their commander-in-chief, and still smarting 
from his pungent censure — but in vain. Another fire 
from the American marksmen killed several of their 
officers, wounded Major Hanger, and repulsed them 
again with increased confusion. The main body of 
the British being now within musket-shot, the American 
leader abandoned the contest. 

That they might, if possible, recover some portion 
of the laurels of which they had this day been shorn, 
colonel Tarleton's dragoons attempted to disturb co- 
lonel Davie in his retreat. But the latter, choosing his 
ground, wheeled on them with so fierce and galling a 
fire, that they again fell back, and troubled him no 
further. 

It was by strokes like these that he seriously crip- 
pled and intimidated his enemy, acquired an elevated 
standing in the estimation of his friends, and served 
very essentially the interests of freedom. With the 
resolution of Sumpter, and the coolness and military 
policy of Marion, he exhibited in his character a happy 
union of the high qualities of those two officers. 



BATTLE OP king's MOUNTAIN. 55 

Thus, did these four great partisan leaders, created 
by the exigency of the times, and springing each out 
of the nature of his own instinct, tend, by their vigilance, 
and unremitting action, to limit not a little the ravages 
of the enemy, and to preserve from extinction the em- 
bers of resistance. But, although the most regular 
laborers in the sacred cause in which they co-operated, 
they and their immediate followers did not work alone. 
By the occasional association and exertion of other par- 
tisan warriors in different places, sundry enterprises 
of rare and distinguished lustre were successfully 
achieved. 

Every reader of history must be familiar with the 
celebrated and romantic feat of arms achieved on 
King's mountain, where the British bayonet, under 
colonel Ferguson, yielded to the American rifle, pointed 
by Cleveland, Shelby and Campbell. In number, the 
troops, on either side, were nearly equal. The British 
detachment was in high discipline, selected for a par- 
ticular service, and encamped in a position chosen on 
account of its security and strength. The Americans 
were fresh from their homes, had no pretension to dis- 
cipline, and most of them now for the first time faced 
an enemy in the field. Notwithstanding this, they ad- 
vanced to the attack, with the steadiness and cool de- 
termination of veterans. The resistance they en- 
countered was firm and terrible ; yet fifty minutes con- 
ducted them to triumph. 

The following brief, but picturesque account of this 
battle, is given by general Lee. " Our brave country- 
men were formed into three divisions, under their 
respective leaders, and coolly ascended the mountain 
in different directions. Colonel Cleveland first reached 
the enemy, and opened a destructive fire from behind 



56 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

the trees. Ferguson resorted to the bayonet : Cleve- 
land necessarily gave way. At that instant, from an- 
other quarter, colonel Shelby poured in his fire ; alike 
sheltered and alike effectual. Upon him Ferguson 
furiously turned, and advanced with the bayonet ; gain- 
ing the only, though immaterial, advantage in his 
po\ver, of forcing Shelby to recede. This was scarcely 
effected before colonel Campbell had gained the sum- 
mit of the mountain; when he too commenced a deadly 
fire. The British bayonet was again applied, and 
produced its former effect. All the divisions now 
returned in co-operation, and resistance became 
temerity." 

The trophies of the day were dazzling and glorious. 
The British party was annihilated. Colonel Ferguson 
himself was among the slain; three hundred of his 
troops were killed and wounded ; and upwards of 
eight hundred surrendered at discretion. Fifteen hun- 
dred stand of arms passed, also, into the possession of 
the conquerors. 

Never was victory more opportune ; nor, for the 
number of combatants, engaged in the conflict, more 
important in its immediate consequences. It broke 
the plan of the British campaign, rescued North Caro- 
lina, from an invasion which would have devastated, and 
held in check, its strongest and best disposed district, 
disappointed the expectations of the royalists in variotis 
parts of it, preventing their intended co-operation wirh 
the invaders, and revived the sinking hope;', and in- 
vigorated the exertions, of the friends of freedom. 
Further to the South occurred another affair of parti- 
san gallantry, which although not very momentous in 
its consequences, was notwithstanding so extraor- 
dinary, in its nature, conducted with so much address, 



EXPLOIT OP FIVE AMERICANS. 57 

marked with such a chivalrous spirit of enterprise, 
and so honourable to the officer who conceived and 
executed it, that it deserves to be much more generally 
known, than it has heretofore been.* 

On the river Ogechee, in the state of Georgia, was 
stationed captain French, with a detachment of about 
forty British regulars. At the same place lay, five 
British vessels. Of these four were armed, the lar- 
gest mounting fourteen guns. Colonel John White, of 
the Georgia line, meditating the capture of this station, 
was able to call to his assistance, but four individuals, 
captain Etholen, and three privates. Resolute in their 
purpose, notwithstanding the disparity of force they 
would be obliged to encounter, these five soldiers of for- 
tune, boldly advanced on the enemy's post. 

Having arrived in the neighborhood of it at night, 
they kindled numerous fires, the light of which reached 
their adversaries, so arranging them as to represent 
by them, the lines of a considerable camp. To render 
their stratagem the more imposing, they then rode 
hastily about, in various directions, in imitation of the 
staff of an army, disposing their sentinels, and issuing 
their orders in a loud voice. The artifice succeeded, 
and convinced captain French that he was menaced by 
a large body of Americans. Accordingly, on being 
summoned by colonel White, he surrendered his de- 
tachment, the crews of the five vessels, amounting to 
near fifty in number, with the vessels themselves, and 
one hundred and fifty stand of arms. But the difficulty 
of the enterprising captors was not yet terminated. 
The British soldiers and sailors might discover the im- 
position that had been practised on them and attempt 

* CaMweirs Life of Greene, 



58 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

a rescue ; and five armed men were not sufficient to 
restrain by force near a hundred without arms. 

The same genius, however, that had planned the first 
part of the adventure, was competent to the completion 
of it. With great seriousness and some emotion in 
his manner, colonel White told captain French that 
in consequence of certain recent enormities, perpetrated 
by a detachment of British and royalists, his troops 
were so deeply exasperated that he was afraid they 
would advance on the captured party, and, in violation 
of his commands, put them all to the sword ; that he 
had already experienced great difficulty in restraining 
them ; and, should they be placed as a guard over the 
prisoner^, he was convinced their rage would become 
ungovernable. He, therefore, directed the British cap- 
tain to follow, with his whole party, captain Etholen, 
and two of the soldiers as guides, who would conduct 
them without delay to a place of safety and good 
quarters. 

For his kindness and humanity, colonel White re- 
ceived the thanks of his prisoners, who immediately 
marched off in a body with their small escort, anxious 
to hasten their pace, lest the enraged x\mericans should 
advance on them and cut them to pieces. The colonel 
and one soldier remained behind, with a view, as he in- 
formed captain French, to restrain by his presence 
any improper violence his troops might be inclined to 
offer ; and to conduct their march at some distance in 
the rear. 

In the mean time, with the aid of the soldier retained, 
he took active measures to collect, as expeditiously as 
possible, a body of militia from the neighboring dis- 
trict. Placing himself at the head of these, who were 
mostly mounted on good horses, he soon overtook his 



WHIGS AND TORIES. 59 

prisoners, whom he found safe under their guides, and 
rejoicing in the generous treatment they had experienced. 

Equally, perhaps, unknown to most of the inhabi- 
tants, and singularly neglected in the history of our 
country, is another very gallant partisan adventure, 
achieved on the 22d of June 1780. Neither Ameri- 
can regulars nor British soldiers had any concern 
in this spirited affair ; it was fought entirely by raw 
militia-men, of the whig and tory parties. About 
twelve hundred of the latter, having assembled un- 
der the command of Colonel Moore, encamped in 
a strong position at Ramsaour's mill, a few miles 
westward from the Catawba river, and in the vicinity 
of the line which separates North from South Carolina. 

In addition to rapine, and the production of general 
distress, a favorite object of this party was to overawe 
and weaken the adjacent country by capturing and 
carrying within the British lines a number of its most 
influential inhabitants. Besides being thus prevented 
from taking a lead in active measures of resistance, 
these were to be held as hostages for the good conduct 
and neutrality of their friends. 

To defeat the mischievous purposes of this party, and 
to dislodge them from their strong hold, the most spir- 
ited of the whigs from Iredell, a neighboring county, 
assembled to the amount of three hundred men, under 
the command of colonel Locke. These consisted 
principally of foot; but, in part, of a small corps of 
mounted infantry, armed with rifles, pistols and sabres, 
led by captain Falls, an officer of peculiar gallantry 
and worth. 

This hasty levy of soldiers presented a spectacle 
eminently interesting. They were fresh from their 
homes, their private habits unbroken, no discipline or 



60 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

concert of action established among them, and all their 
domestic feelings clinging around their hearts. They 
were, in the true sense of the expression, a band of 
friends and neighbors, being all from the same settle- 
ment, and perfectly known to each other in private life. 
In the whole party there was not an individual who 
had not repeatedly united with the others, in rural sport 
and social enjoyment. As citizens, they were all of 
the same rank, and all respectable. They were mas- 
ters of the soil they had assembled to defend. 

Of this corps of patriots, the military prowess was 
entirely untried ; not one of them, with the exception 
of captain Falls, having ever confronted an enemy in 
the field. Their only warlike acquirement was great 
expertness and skill in the use of the rifle. In that 
qualification they had few superiors. Being all dressed 
in their common apparel, they exhibited no uniformity 
of appearance. To remedy this, and to distinguish 
them from the tories, who were known to be dressed in 
the same way, they fastened over the crowns of their 
hats, from back to front, descending to the rims, on 
each side, strips of white paper about two inches broad. 
Each one brought to the place of rendezvous his own 
rifle, fifty rounds of powder and ball, a week's provision, 
and a light blanket. That they might be perfectly un- 
encumbered, neither baggage-wagon nor pack-l»orse 
was attached to the party.* 

Thus accoutred, eager for battle, and panting for 
glory, without waiting for a considerable force that was 
assembling in Rowan, a neighboring county, under 
general Rutherford, to join them, they m'^ved, in haste 
and silence, towards the scene of action. The second 

* Caldwell's Life of Greene. 



VALOR OP CAPT. FALLS. 61 

day's march brought them into the immediate vicinity 
of their object. They encamped for the night, deter- 
mined to strike, and hoping to surprise, the enemy, in 
the morning. But, in this, they were disappointed. 
On advancing to the attack, about break of day, they 
found the foe on the alert, and ready to receive them. 
They, therefore, resolved to wait, until it should be 
completely light, that the aim of their rifles might be 
the more deadly. 

The morning opening, disclosed to them a prepara- 
tion for defence and resistance, much more formidable 
than they had expected to find. The enemy were 
posted on top of a hill, covered with timber, which af- 
forded them a shelter. Their flanks were protected 
on one side by a mill-dam, and on the other by a 
swamp, a small stream of water flowing in the rear. 
In front of their encampment, was erected of stakes 
and brush- wood, a breastwork so compact as to be 
proof against small arms, and to impede, in a great 
measure, the operation of cavalry. A strong de- 
tachment of the foe was stationed in advance of the 
breast-work, armed with rifles, and concealed behind 
trees. 

At first sight, this array of men and means was 
somewhat appalling. But the Rubicon was passed. 
Retreat would be ruin, accompanied with disgrace. 
Battle might also be ruinous, but could not be dishon- 
orable. Without hesitation, therefore, the latter was re- 
solved on. At his own request, captain Falls, with his 
mounted infantry, led the attack. When at the distance 
of about eighty paces, he received the fire of the ene- 
my's advance. Returning this with considerable effect, 
he rushed, sword in hand, into the midst of them, threw 
them into confusion, and forced them to fall back. 





62 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

Pressing his fortune with too muclj ardor, he received 
a ball through his breast, and fell dead from his horse. 
His party, however, undismayed by the loss of their 
leader, continued the action, with great gallantry, until 
the foot advanced to their support, when the enemy was 
driven behind his breastwork. Here ensued a most 
murderous conflict. The whigs, having so far levelled 
the obstruction, as to render it passable, rushed over it, 
mingled with the enemy, and, in many instances, 
grappled with them, man to man. Every instrument 
and means of death was now resorted to. The bullet, 
the sword, the rifle-but, and even the hatchet, with 
which some were provided, were abundantly employed. 
Rarely, in any case, has blood been more inexorably, 
or, by the same number of combatants, more prodigal- 
ly, shed. 

For a time, the issue was doubtful. Pressed, by su- 
perior numbers, the whigs were once compelled to give 
ground, some of them retreating across the breastwork. 
But resolutely bent on victory or death, they returned 
to the charge, with such fierce impetuosity, and decisive 
effect, as bore down all resistance. The tories broke, 
and fled in confusion, the whigs for some distance 
hanging on their rear with terrible slaughter. 

Thus terminated an affair, in which so many gallant 
spirits made their first, and, too many of them, alas ! 
their last, essay in arms. In the course of it, the 
whigs performed prodigies ; and the royalists mani- 
fested a degree of resolution and valor worthy of a 
better cause. The latter lost, in killed, wounded, and 
prisoners, upwards of six hundred men. The prison- 
ers and wounded were paroled, and liberated, on the 
field of battle. The nj/TnencaHoss of the former was 
exceedingly heavy, nearly half of them being killed or 



MAHION AND HIS BKIOADE. 63 

wounded. But the actual loss, which consisted in the 
character, rather than the number, of those that fell, 
was incalculable. On that fatal day some of the 
choicest blood of the south was heroically offered, on 
the altar of freedom. 

The death of captain Falls, in particular, was deeply 
lamented. In the ranks of his country, he did not leave 
behind him a purer patriot, or a more gallant soldier. 
His son, a youth of fourteen, had accompanied him to 
battle. When the captain fell, this high minded stripling 
moved by an instinctive impulse of affection, sprang 
from his horse, to embrace the body, and protect it 
from insult. One of the enemy, believed to be the 
same that had shot captain Falls, advancing, with a 
view to plunder the corpse, the son, suddenly snatch- 
ing the sword of the deceased, plunged it into the 
bosom of the marauder, and thus, at once, punished 
audacity and nobly revenged his father's death. 

So deadly was the aim of the tory riflemen, at the 
commencement of the action, before the smoke of their 
own fire had obstructed their view, that many of them 
placed their balls in the lower end of the strips of 
paper, which the whigs wore over the crowns of their 
hats. Every shot of this description, passing through 
the brain, was instantly fatal.* 

The messenger despatched to Gates returned with 
the glad information that Francis Marion was to take 
command, commissioned by Gov. Ruttledge; and a 
few days previous to the defeat of Gates, Marion 
reached the post where M'Cottry had taken his 
position, and, as we have stated, he and his brigade 
were on the Sanlee river destroying boats when 

* CaldweU's Life of Greene. 



64 3tARI0N AND HIS TIMES. 

the news of the last battle was received. Such 
was the origin of " Marion's Brigade." Of Ma- 
rion's personal appearence at this time, we have the 
following graphic account from the pen of Judge 
James, a son of the major, and who at the early 
age of fifteen served under him. " He was a stranger . 
to the officers and men, and they flocked about him to 
obtain a sight of their future commander. He was 
rather below the middle stature, lean and swarthy. 
His body was well set, but his kness and ankles were 
badly formed, and he still limped upon one leg. He 
had a countenance remarkably steady ; his nose was 
aquiline, chin projecting ; his forehead large and high, 
and his eyes black and piercing. He was then forty- 
eight years of age, with a frame capable of enduring 
fatigue and every privation. He was dressed in a 
close round-bodied crimson jacket, of a coarse texture, 
and wore a leather cap, part of the uniform of the 
second regiment, with a silver crescent in front, in- 
scribed with the words, ' Liberty or Death.' "* Weems 
describes him as a " little, swarthy, French-phizzed 
Carolianian." 

We now approach the exciting part of Marion's 
career; and as captain of his brigade we will follow 
him through his perils, adventures, stratagem and ex- 
ploits. We equally admire the boldness of his deeds 
and the never- failing resources that he commanded 
within himself. At a moment when the cause for 
which he battled seemed to be given over, he alone 
kept the field as its champion. A few others there 
were who assisted in keeping alive the hopes of the 
Southern patriots, but the name of Marion was the 
only rallying cry which inspirited effectual confidence. 

* A sketch of the Life of Marion and History of hia Brigade, 
by Wm. Dobein James, A. M. 1821. 



TORIES DEFEATED AT BRITTON's NECK. 65 

Equally without the means of warfare and of com- 
fort, he and his brigade despaired not, but with such 
weapons as they had fought^ and with such sustenance 
as they could get existed. Liberty or Death was 
the motto worn by Marion, and, ybr Liberty, toil and 
hardships were cheerfully endured with an unwavering 
resolution that it should be Death rather than the 
cause of Liberty should be relinquished. 

In a few days after taking command, Marion led his 
men across the Pedee at Post's ferry, to disperse a 
large party of tories commanded by Major Gainey, 
collected between the Great and Little Pedee. This 
Gainey was a great champion of the tories and stood 
high in their estimation as a partizan officer. He and . 
his band of tories were encamped at a place called 
Britton's Neck. In secrecy, Marion formed his plan, 
marched rapidly all night, and came upon the tories 
at day-break. He paused not an instant, but rigorously 
attacked their camp, and the surprise and disaster 
was complete ; one of the tory captains and several 
of their privates were slain. Of Marion's men not one 
was lost, and only two wounded.* 

Being informed that another body of tories were 
strongly posted in the neighborhood, under command 
of Capt. Barfield, he resorted to a stratagem, placing a 
part of his men in ambush, and with the other part 
pretending a retreat. This feint had the desired effect, 
for Barfield pursued the retreating party, whilst those 
in ambush came upon his rear, and the defeat of the 
tories was entire. 

After this, Marion returned to Post's Ferry, and 
threw up a redoubt on the east bank of the Pedee, 

* Ramsay's Hist, of South Carolina. 
6* 



66 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

manning his little fortification with two field-pieces 
which he captured in his successes against the tories. 
Whilst thus employed, he heard of the defeat of Gen. 
Gates at Camden, Aug. 16, 1780. Fearful of the 
effect this tidings might have upon the spirits of his 
brigade, he kept it concealed from them, and, getting 
advice that a British force, with a groat number of 
American prisoners, was on its way from Camden to 
Charleston, he resolved to attempt a rescue. He im- 
mediately marched (or Nelson's Ferry on th(j Santee, 
and near Nelson's he learned that the British, with 
their prisoners, — the former ninety strong ; the prison- 
ers two hundred, — had stopped at a house on the east 
side of the Santee. Just after dark, Marion and his 
brigade crossed the river. He directed Col. Horry to 
gain possession of the road at the entrance of a 
swamp, and led the main body himself by a circuitous 
route to attack the rear of the enemy. 

" The Blue House" was the name of the tavern at 
which the British halted with their prisoners. Col. 
Horry in taking his position, advanced too near a sen- 
tinel, who fired upon him. No time was now to be 
lost. The word was given for a» attack. The sen- 
tinels fled towards the house, the Americans following. 
The surprised enemy surrendered at once, and Marion 
was by this achievement well supplied with muskets. 
" After securing their arms," writes Weems, " Marion 
called for their captain; but he was not to be found, 
high nor low, among the living or dead. However, 
ader a hot search, he was found up the chimney !" 
He begaed verv hard that his men should not know 
where he had concealed himself 

Notwithstanding this gallant success, the defeat of 
Gates at Camden, which now became generally known, 



KBSCUB OF PRISONERS. 67 

damped the ardor of the people throughout the coun- 
try, and instead of rallying under the flag of Marion, 
the dastardly Continentals he had released from the 
British, replied that it would be risking life without any 
hope of success, and all, with one or two exceptions, 
returned to their homes. Marion and his unconquer- 
able brigade kept the field, however, and the severjL- 
ties practiced by the British, afler the fall of Camden, 
drove many indignant men into his ranks. Corp- 
wallis issued a proclamation, ordering positively that 
"all the inhabitants of this province who have sub- 
scribed, and have taken part in the revolt, should be 
punished with the greatest rigor ; and also those who 
will not turn out, that they may be imprisoned and 
their whole property taken from them or destroyed ;" 
and " that -every militia man, who has borne arms 
with us, and afterwards joined the enemy, shall be 
immediately hanged." Many men were hanged, and 
the property of a number of families confiscated. 

The audacity and skill of Marion, necessarily ren- 
dered the British commander desirous of taking him, 
and Tarleton, and Major Wemyss, and a strong force 
of tories, were despatched against him. The tories 
were comm^ded by Major Harrison. Marion had 
under his command but a very small body of men. 
Hearing of the expedition that had been set in motion 
against him, he despatched Major James, with a choice 
band of volunteers, to reconnoitre the enemy and as- 
certain their force. Major James concealed himself in 
'a swamp on the line of the enemy's march, and having 
satisfied- himself in regard in their numbers, returned 
to Marion, reported the British force to be double that 
of the patriots, while the tories in the rear were alone 



68 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

estimated at five hundred men. This intelligence was far 
from encouraging, inasmuch as they had no Ibrce that 
could possibly contend with such a host. About half 
of Marion's men left him, considering it useless to 
keep the field under these circumstances, dropping off 
one by one on the route towards North Carolina, he 
and his officers having commenced a retreat. Those 
that remained with him were colonels Peter and Hugh 
Horry, colonels John Erwin and John Baxter, major 
John James, major Benson, and about sixty men. 
Marching night and day, they soon reached the eastern 
bank of Downing creek in North Carolina. 

From this place the gallant Major James obtained 
leave to return at the head of a kw voluntenrs, to gain 
intelligence, watch the mt)vements of the British, and 
do his best to rouse the spirit of the country, now over- 
run and desolated by the British and Tories. Farms 
and plantations were laid waste, and Wemyss swept , 
the land with fire and sword. Houses were consigned 
to the flames, and thousands of the inhabitants were 
plundered by the tories, who revelled and rioted in the 
destruction they made. Cattle were wantonly shot, 
and grain ruthlessly destroyed. Ail who were in the 
slightest identified with the patriotic cause suffered 
from the depredations committed by Wemyss. Many 
of Marion's party were reduced from easy circum- 
stances to poverty. 

In the meantime, Marion had pitched his camp at 
Whitemarsh, near the source of the Waccawaw, 
where he and his brigade submitted to hardships and 
necessities of more than ordinary rigor. 

Major James, and many scouting parties, returned 
to the camp with the tidings of Wemyss' destructive 
progress over the country, and the indignant feelings 



BATTLE AT BLACK MINGO. 60 

that had been roused among the inhabitants. Marion 
at once took up his line of march back to South Caro- 
lina, and on his way he was everywhere joined by the 
roused militia. He found his men in the proper spirit 
to do battle, and he determined to strike while the iron 
was hot. Arrived at Lynch's creek, he was informed 
that a great body of tories, under a Capt. Ball, lay at 
Black Mingo, fifteen miles below. Every voice was 
enthusiastically loud for the attack. " Lead us on ! 
Lead us on !" was the unanimous cry. There was a 
spirit of justifiable vengeance breathing through the 
entire command, officers and men. 

The tories were strongly posted at Shepherd's ferry, 
on the south side of the Black Mingo. This was the 
passage of the stream, and Marion, to approach them, 
was obliged to cross a plank-bridge a mile above the 
ferry. As soon as the front files of his advance had 
struck the bridge, an alarm-gun was heard from the 
Tory camp. Rapidity was now necessary. Marion 
and his officers urged forward their men. The Tories 
were not unprepared to receive them, and a severe con- 
flict ensued. Some of the patriotic troops fell back 
with confusion, but were soon rallied and led on to the 
charge. So near were the parties engaged for a part 
of the fight, that the wads of their guns struck on each 
side, and both fired balls and buckshot. In an interval 
of platoons, Marion was heard to call out, " Advance 
cavalry and charge on the left." Instantly the tories 
broke, and ran for Black Mingo swamp. 

In this conflict, if either party had had bayonets they 
would have used them, so close were they to each 
other in the struggle. Captain Logan and one private of 
Marion's party were killed, and nearly one half of his 
men wounded. Two gallant officers, Capt. Mouzon, 



70 MARION AND HIS' TIMES. 

and his lieutenant, Joseph Scott, were rendered unfit 
for further service. The tories, who were twice as 
strong as the patriots, lost their commander, leaving 
two-thirds of their number killed or wounded. " The 
surprise and destruction of the tories," says Col. 
Horry, " would have been complete, had it not been 
for the alarm given by our horses, that in passing 
Black Mingo bridge, near which they were encamped. 
Marion never afterwards suffered us to cross a bridge 
in the night, until we had first spread our blankets on 
it, to prevent noise." 

After this victory, Marion, without delay, marched 
to VV^illiamsburg, and, such was the magic of his name, 
numbers flocked to his standard, and the few with 
which he had gained his success at Black Mingo, was 
in a short time greatly increased.* 

* Mari/yrCs Brigade, by W. D. James. — Ramsay's Hist. 
Sffutk Carolina. See Appendix B. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Marion sets forward to chastise the Tories under Har^ 
rison — Surprises the Tories under Col. Tynes. Hard- 
skips of Marion and his men. Tarleton in pursuit of 
Marion. Sumpter defeats Maj. Wemyss. Tarleton 
relinquishes his pursuit of Marion and goes after 
Sumpter — battle — defeat of the British. Marion^s 
enterprize against Georgetown — death of Gabriel 
Marion. Marion's encampment at Snow^s Island-^ 
martial law — the flag of truce — Marion dines a 
British officer^ ect. etc. 

The victory at Black Mingo was followed by a re- 
spite to the soldiers, who were allowed to visit their 
'amilies, necessitated as they were to provide for their 
rvives and children. Marion would have kept them 
ogether and followed up the tories, but consented to 
heir request on their promising to return as soon as 
called upon. True to their word, after looking to the 
jare of their families, all returned to the command of 
heir leader. Marion now set forward to chastise the 
cries under Harrison, posted at Lynch's creek. On 
lis march he learned that a certain Col. Tynes was 
collecting a large body of tories in the fork of Black 
•iver, distant about thirty miles. This Col. Tynes was 
1 man of valor, and generally very much upon his 
^uard, though he was at last caught napping by Ma- 
'ion. He had brought arms and ammunition with 
lim, and had them in abundance to supply those 
who joined him. Marion felt it his duty to check him 
Defore he should have an opportunity to make much 
headway. Marching with extreme rapidity, he came 
jp with the camp of the tories at night, whilst they 

71 



72 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

were feasting, drinking and gaming. He quickly made 
his arrangements for the attack. Those ihnt slept 
were awakened by the guns of the assailants, and in 
an instant the patriots were among them, hewing them 
down, and the surprise and discomfiture of the tories 
was complete. Captain Gaskens, one of the plunder- 
ing companions of Wemyss, was killed with a card in 
his hand. Many were killed. Col. Tynes, and two 
of his officers, were captured ; a great number of 
horses, and all the baggage was taken ; the larger 
number fled to a neighbouring swarap, from which 
some emerged the next day, and joined the ranks of 
Marion, whilst others fled to their homes. This victory 
was achieved by Marion without the loss of a single 
man upon his own side.* 

Is it to be wondered that these brilliant achieve- 
ments, so rapidly following each other, should make 
the name of Marion dear to every heart that partici- 
pated with love of country ? In all these forced 
marches, Marion and his men lay in the open field, 
with little covering, aqd with little other iood than 
sweet potatoes, and meat mostly without salt. The 
general fared worse than his men ; for his baggage 
having caught fire by accident, he had literally but half 
a blanket to shelter him from the dews of the night, 
and but half a hat to shelter him from the rays, of the 
sun. Tea or coffee he seldom tasted, and liquor as 
rarely passed his lips. Thus suffering deprivations, 
thus enduring fatigue, Marion and his men continued 
to hold out against the combined forces of the British 
and Tories; and so great was now his influence 
throughout South Carolina, that the Britiish commander 

* Ramsay'e Hist. South Carolina. 



TARLETOW IN PURSUIT OF MARION. TS 

)und it impossible to reduce the province to loyalty 
'hi(st he kept the field. To capture him, however, 
^as a matter that would necessarily entail much diffi- 
uliy; one day in one part of the country, the next 
fly miles distant, as he constantly was when avoiding 
ursuit ; hardened to every trial, yet ever in undis. 
layed spirits. But he must be captured, the British 
ommander resolved ; no point must be left unstrained 
ntil he was taken ! Who was the officer to accom- 
lish it? Who but Tarleton ? But he was lying ill 
f a fever at Charleston. Sick as he was, Tarleton 
ignified his willingness to seize upon the first moment 
f returning health, and carry into effect the desire of 
is commander. 

Accordingly, as soon as he was able, he set for* 
/ard with a troop of horse, to meet his legion at a de- 
ignated place on the Wateree. Marion, apprized of 
is having set out from Charleston, and presuming that 
e intended to force his way to Camden, started in 
ursuit of him. But, in consequence of defective in- 
^rmation from his scouts, Marion did not succeed in 
vertaking his foe. Tarleton met his legion, and 
larion was first apprized of his whereabouts by the 
urning of the mansion on the plantation of General 
lichardson, one of the patriots. Gen. Richardson in 
i^rson presented himself to Marion, giving intelligence 
if the enemy's great force. Marion, thus finding his 
nemy so strong that the prospect of an engagement 
vas utterly hopeless of success, and one of his own 
nen having deserted to the foe, retired from his posi- 
ion, crossing an extensive swamp. Tarleton pursued, 
lay after day ; but Marion constantly changed his 
ground, until he wearied out his pursuer, who turned 
lis legions in search of Sumpter, who had now got to- 
7 



74 MARION AND HIS TIMBS. 

gether a force of about five hundred men, and encamp- 
ed within twenty-eight miles of Cornwallis, who lay 
at Winnsboro'. 

Thus, while Marion engaged the attention of Corn- 
wallis, whose cavalry and artillery were drawn to the 
east of the Santee, Sumpter hovered on the west of 
the river, searching for some valuable point to ass'ail. 
This officer, equally enterprizing and indefatigable as 
Marion, had the mountainous country of the Caro- 
linas to draw upon for assistance. He had therefore 
the advantage of Marion in numbers ; commanding 
five hundred sometimes, and at others eight hundred 
men. When Cornwallis became acquainted of Sump- 
ter's approach, Major Wemyss was detached to sur- 
prize him, which he thought possible from the fact that 
Sumpter, on past occasions, had displayed more bold- 
ness than vigilance. Wemyss directed his march with 
greato^ecrecy to Broad river, where Sumpter was en- 
canr.' cd. The silent celerity with which he advanced, 
brought him, sooner than he intended, to the vicinity 
of his enemy ; and, apprehending that Sumpter might 
be apprized, before morning, of his proximity, he de- 
termined on an attack by night. His corps was im- 
mediately formed for battle, and advanced on Sump- 
ter's camp. Anxious to observe the condition of his 
foe, Wemyss placed himself with the van officer, who 
soon fell on Sumpter's piquet, and threw them back on 
the main body. Only five muskets were discharged, 
and two balls pierced the major, disabling him from 
further exertion. 

The command devolved upon a subaltern, who, al- 
though unacquainted with the ground, and uninformed 
as to the plan, determined to press the attack. He 
found Sumpter prepared to receive him ; and very soon 



TABLETON IN PURSUIT OP 8UMPTER. 75 

the contest terminated in the repulse of the British, who 
retired, leaving their commandant and twenty men on 
the ground.* 

Sumpter, satisfied with his success, did not pursue 
it, but crossed the Broad river. Cornwallis, chagrined 
It the defeat of Wemyss, and provoked by the daring 
3f Sumpter, directed Tarleton to proceed without delay 
md chastise the audacious rebel. Quick were the 
movements of Tarleton, and he arrived in the neigh- 
borhood of Sumpter before the latter had even heard of 
lis advance. Pushing up the Ennoree river, Tarleton 
loped to place himself in his enemy's rear, but Sump- 
er became apprized of his adversary's movements, 
mmediately drew off, passed the Ennoree, and contin- 
jed to retreat, having the Tyger, one of the most rapid 
md obstructive rivers, in his front. Tarleton, foresee- 
ng that should his adversary pass the. Tyger, there, 
ivould be little prospect of bringing him to act'-^n, re- 
loubled his exertions to overtake him. Well kiK .^ing 
he character of his foe, he had preserved his force in 
compact order; but his apprehension that Sumpter 
Tfiight escape, his ardor in pursuit, and desire to con- 
inue the success with which his zeal had been generally 
irowned, impelled him to deviate from that prudent 
course. In the evening of the 20th of November, 
1780) at the head of his cavalry, about one hundred 
md seventy in number, and eighty mounted infantry 
Df the 63rd regiment, he dashed forward to bring Sump- 
er to battle, before the latter had passed the Tyger, 
md soon came in sight of his enemy, who had selected 
I strong position on Blackstock hill, on the eastern 
Danks of the river. 

* Lee*s Memoirs of the Southern War. 



76 MABION AND HIS TIMES. 

Here, prudence would have dictated to Col. Tarleton 
a pause. The residue of the 63rd regiment, the legion 
and light infantry, were following with all possible 
despatch, and in one hour might have joined him. But 
delay did not comport with the ardent zeal or experi- 
ence of Tarleton, and he boldly advanced to the assault. 
That part of the hill to which the attack was directed, 
was nearly perpendicular, with a small rivulet, brush 
wood, and a rail fence in front. The rear of the Amer- 
icans, and part of their right flank, was secured by the 
river Tyger, and their left was covered by a log barn, 
into which a considerable division of their force had 
been thrown, and from which, as ihe apertures between 
the logs served for loop-holes, they fired with security. 

British valor was conspicuous in this action ; but no 
valor could surmount the obstacles that here stood in 
its way. Of the 63rd regiment, the commanding offi- 
cer, two others, and one third of the privates, fell. 
Tarleton, observing their situation, charged with his 
cavalry ; but, unable to dislodge the enemy, either 
from the log barn on his right, or the height on his lefl, 
he was obliged to fall back, leaving Sumpter in quiet 
possession of the field. Sumpter occupied the ground 
several hours, but having received a severe wound, and 
knowing the British would be reinforced before next 
morning, he thought it hazardous to wait. He accord- 
ingly retired, and taking his wounded men along with 
him, crossed the rapid river Tyger. Sumpter's wound, 
unfortunately for his country, long detained him from 
the field ; but useful consequences continued to result 
from the deep impressions of his example, and from the 
spark he had infused, and the experience gained under 
his guidance. 

Tarleton was no sooner recalled from the east of the 



ATTBMPT UPON GEORGETOWN. 77 

Santee, than Marion emerged from his concealed re* 
treat, traversed the country from Georgetown to Cam- 
den, and endangered the communication between them. 

Thus, in this gloomy period, was resistance in the 
South continued ; embarrassing to the enemy, exhilira- 
ting to the hopes of the patriots. It produced in Con- 
gress, and in the nation, a solacing conviction that the 
spirit of the people was not subdued.* 

The British post at Georgetown was one of consid- 
erable strength, and Marion, who was bare of supplies, 
meditated an ingenious attack upon it, in order to fur- 
lish himself with clothing and ammunition ; and being 
low supported by Lieut. Col. Lee, he disclosed his enter- 
jrize to that officer, who readily consented to join in 
he undertaking. General Greene had arrived and 
aken command of the Southern army. To him Ma- 
•ion disclosed his plan. Gen. Greene approved of it. 
rhe plan of the assault was founded on the facility with 
vhich the assailant might convey down the Pedee a 
)art of his force undiscovered, and land in the water 
luburb of the town, which is situated on the bay into 
vhich the river empties. This suburb, being always 
ieemed secure, was consequently unguarded. After 
his body should have reached the wharves, it was to 
nove in two divisions. The first was to force the com- 
nandant's quarters, known to be a place of parade, 
hen to secure him and all who might flock thither on 
he alarm. The second was to be charged with the 
nterrpption of such of the garrison as might attempt to 
jain the fort, their chief point of safety in annoyance, 
rhe militia and cavalry of the legion, under Marion 
md Lee, were to approach near the town in the night ; 

* See Appendix C. 

7* 



78 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

and when the entrance of the infantry, passed down by 
water, should be announced, they were to rush into it 
for co-operation and support. 

Agreeably to this plan, the infantry of the legion 
were embarked in boats,' under command of Captain 
Games, with orders to fall down the Pedee to a desig- 
nated island, during the first night; to land and lay 
concealed there the ensuing day; to re-embark at an 
early hour of the night following, and to reach George- 
town between one and two in the morning. 

Marion and Lee proceeded to their destination, hav- 
ing taken all the requisite precautions to prevent any 
intimation to the enemy of their approach. At twelve 
o'clock on the second night, they occupied, unperceived, 
a position in the vicinity of the town, and awaited 
anxiously for the annunciation of Game's arrival. 
This officer met with no difficulty in descending the 
river, and reached the appointed island before dawn. 
He remained there the ensuing day without discovery. 
Gaining his place of destination, with precision in point 
of time, he landed in the suburb unperceived, and in- 
stantly advanced to the quarters of the garrison's com- 
mander, Col. Campbell, who was secured ; and Carnes 
judiciously posted his division for seizing such parties 
of the garrison as miy;ht flock to the parade ground. 
The other division, with equal good fortune, gained the 
vicinity of the fort, and arranged themselves ready to 
arrest any fugitives. On the first fire, which took 
place at the commandant's quarters, the militia of 
Marion, and the dragoons of Lee, rushed into the town, 
prepared to bear down al) resistance. To the astonish- 
ment of these officers, every thing was quiet ; the legion 
infantry holding its assigned stations, and Col. Gamp- 
bell a prisoner. Not a British soldier appeared ; not 



79 



one attempted either to gain the fort, or repair to the 
commandant. Having discovered their enemy, the 
troops of the garrison kept close to their respective 
quarters, barricaded the doors, and determined thereto 
defend themselves. 

The assailants, unprovided with the requisite imple- 
ments for battering doors and scaling windows, were 
compelled to retire with but a partial accomplishment 
of their object. Col. Campbell was sufTered to remain 
on parole. 

An accident, in the highest degree distressing to 
Gen. Marion, resulted from this attack upon George- 
town. A nephew of his, Gabriel Marion, a lad who 
shared the fatigue and danger of his uncle, fell into the 
hands of the tories, who, in spite of the intercession of 
the British soldiers, called loudly for the boy's death. 
The soldiers represented to them the inhumanity of 
putting to death a mere boy, but the sanguinary tories, 
because he bore the name of Marion, were deaf to their 
intercessions, and hewed him to pieces. 

Unsuccessful in his attempt upon Georgetown, Marion 
took a position on Snow's island, where he pitched his 
camp. Snow's island is situated at the conflux of the 
Pedee and Lynch's creek, is of a triangular form, and 
is bounded by the Pedee on the east, by Lynch's creek 
on the north, and by Clark's creek, a branch of the 
latter, on the south and west. Here, by having the 
command of the rivers, he could be abundantly supplied 
with provisions, and his post was inaccessible except by 
water. It was in December (1780) that he went into 
winter quarter's on this island, a post particularly ele- 
gible for his purpose of carrying on the war with the 
tories. He actively went to work, sending forth his 
officers and scouts in all directions. He laid the coun- 



80 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

try under martial law, too, with commands to his sub- 
alterns to destroy boats and canoes, take horses, arms, 
ammunition, and to prohibit all persons from transport- 
ing any kind of provisions into Georgetown, or to any 
place where the British could get them. 

A popular anecdote, the incidents of which occurred 
while the camp was on Snow's island, may be here in- 
serted. A flag of truce was sent from the British post 
at Georgetown, and brought by a young British officer, 
the object of which was some arrangements in regard 
to an exchange of prisoners. The young officer was 
met at some distance from the camp, and, after being 
blindfolded, conducted into the encampment. The 
bandage taken from his eyes, he found himself sur- 
rounded by a motley throng of tattered fellows, bare- 
legged, bareheaded, some asleep on the ground, some 
'roasting potatoes, and others variously employed. 
What a contrast these to the gaily-dressed soldiers of 
the garrison at Georgetown I Not a little was the 
young officer surprised, and his surprise was doubled, 
when, asking to be presented to General Marion, a 
little, swarthy-featured man stood before him. His 
manner expressed his astonishment. What this Ma- 
rion? This dimmutive, unprepossessing, ill-clad — 
could this be Marion, — the celebrated, adventurous, 
skillful, victorious Marion ? 

" General Marion," says Lee in his Memoirs of the 
Southern War, vide vol. I. appendix, page 396, " was 
in stature of the smallest size, thin as well as low. 
His visage was not pleasing, and his manners not cap- 
tivating. He was reserved and silent, entering into 
conversation only when necessary, and then with mo- 
desty and good sense. He possessed a strong mind, 
improved by his own reflections and observations, not 



ikARION DINING A BRITISH OFFICER. 81 

by books or travel. His dress was like his address — 
plain, regarding comfort and decency only. In his 
meals he was abstemious, eating generally of one dish, 
ind drinking water mostly. He was sedulous and 
constant in his attention to the duties of his station, to 
which every other consideration yielded. The pro- 
curement of subsistence for his men, and the contri- 
k^ance of annoyance to his enemy, engrossed his en- 
tire mind." 

Nor is the surprise of the young officer to be won- 
dered at, accustomed as he was to the large persons, 
md cavalier carriage of the commanders of the Bri- 
;ish army, whose dress glittered with ornaments of 
yo\6. The prowess that the name of Marion carried 
w'lih it, had led him to expect in the man a person of 
iofly stature, and commanding appearance. 

The story goes, that the young officer^ as soon as 
:he business upon which he came was satisfactorily 
irranged between Marion and himself, took up his hat 
:o retire. Marion requested him to be in no hurry. 
' Dinner is preparing, and you shall stay and dine 
ivith us, sir." 

At mention of dinner, the officer looked round to 
jee where the preparations were. Marion observing 
lis looks, smilingly ordered a black servant to serve 
jp the meal. The servant at once commenced poking 
with a stick among the ashes and embers of a smoul- 
dering fire upon the ground, and roused up several 
roasted sweet potatoes, cleaning off the ashes by blow- 
ing them with his breath, and rubbing them upon his 
sleeves. These potatoes were presently served up to 
Marion and his guest on pieces of bark, and placed on 
the trunk of a fallen tree. 



82 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

Marion apologized for the humbleness of the fare, 
but said it was the best he had to offer, and trusted his 
guest would take it in as complimentary a view as if 
he were placing before him all the luxuries of a din- 
ner and dessert. 

The mild and dignified simplicity of Marion's man- 
ners had already produced their effects, and, to pro- 
long so interesting an interview, the invitation was ac- 
cepted. They sat down on the log, and began to eat 
and converse ; the young officer asking many ques- 
tions, which Marion frankly answered. He asked 
Marion if this was not merely an accidental dinner. 
" You do not always fare thus ?" 

*' Generally worse," said Marion. 

" Worse ?" repeated the officer. 

"Indeed, sir," continued Marion, "we are fortu- 
nate on this occasion, entertaining company, to have 
more than our usual allowance. Poor as our fare is, 
sir, poor as you see it, it is not always we have enough 
of even this to satisfy our hunger." 

" But you are paid well V said the officer. 

" Not a penny," answered Marion. 

" Neither paid nor fed — what in Heaven's name do 
you keep the field for then ?" 

" For liberty /^^ Marion emphatically replied. " It 
is for the blessings of freedom," he added, " that I 
fight — bessings I may never live to see in the soil of 
my birth, but for which I nevertheless contend, trust- 
ing as I do that the day is not far distant when your 
king shall be forced to yield the independence of my 
country — and the proud thought now swells my heart, 
that though my bones may rest in the earth, posterity 
will cherish with gratitude the remembrance of one 



PEELINGS OF THE BRITISH OFFICER. 83 

who has never a moment ceased in his struggle for the 
freedom of his native land!" 

It is said that the young officer retired froni this in- 
terview deeply impressed with a conviction of how 
utterly hopeless was the object of British arms — re- 
ducing a country to its former allegiance — when offi- 
cers and men, without pay, and literally but half-clad, 
would endure privations and toils of the roughest kind. 
Indeed, so deep was the impression made upon his 
feelings by this interview with Marion, that he shortly 
afterwards threw up his commission, and retired from 
the service. 



CHAPTER V. 

Gen. Greene. — Gen. Morgan — his birth; his early ca- 
reer ; his valor at the assault on Quebec ; his capture ; 
is exchanged, and is at the battle of Saratoga ; receives 
ill treatment from Gen. Gates ; joins the Southern 
Army — Greeners estimation of Marion — description of 
him by CoJ. Lee. Marion destroys the waggons and 
baggage of the British at Keithfield. — Morgan — Col. 
Washington — Rudgely, the tory, and his garrison cap- 
tured. Distressed situation of the inhabitants of Ninety- 
Six. Tarleton in pursuit of Morgan. The battle of 
Cowpens. Tarleton is pursued. Narrow escape of Col. 
Washington. Marion a terror to the Tories. Col. 
Watson despatched in pursuit of Marion — some of Mof 
rion's men butcJiered by the tories. Watson's expedi- 
tion to surprise Marion — death of the tory, Harrison — 
Marion fording Black River — 'the bridge fired — retreat 
of Watson — skirmish at Witherspoon's ferry, etc., etc. 

General Greene, a soldier of great firmness and pru- 
dence, directed his whole attention to the high duties of 
his command. He found the army not more than two 
thousand, and but scantily supplied with provisions and 
ammunition. But the unfavorable aspect did not dis- 
curage him. A wide sphere of intellectual resource 
enabled him to inspire confidence, to rekindle courage, 
to decide hesitation, and infuse a spirit of exalted patrio- 
tism in the citizens of the State. By his own example, 
he showed the value of obedience, of patience, vigilance 
and temperance. Dispensing justice with an even 
hand to the citizen and soldier ; benign in heart, and 
happy in manners ; he gained the attachment and esteem 
of all. He collected around his person able and re- 

84 



SKETCH OF GEN. MORGAN. 85 

spectable officers j and selected, for the several depart- 
ments, those who were best qualified to fill them. His 
operations were then commenced with a boldness of 
design, well calculated to raise the drooping spirits of 
his country, and to excite the respect of his enemy. 

Eldest among his officers, and at this period fore- 
most in renown, was General Morgan. As much as 
is the case with any mortal, this veteran's reputation 
and fortune were the work of his sword. His mind, of 
perfect Roman texture, its firmness and valor, which 
originally nothing could shake, had been still further 
strengthened by much severe and dangerous service. 
Nor were his corporeal qualities less adapted to the toils 
of war and the exertions of battle. His frame being 
large, and his person muscular, early labor and exten- 
sive practice in athletic, more especially pugilistic exer- 
cises, had rendered him exceedingly strong and capable 
of enduring great fatigue; and had further taught him 
the art of using his strength when engaged in combat 
with the deadliest effect. 

He was born in New Jersey, where from his poverty 
and low condition he had been a day-laborer. To early 
education and breeding therefore, he owed nothing. 
But for this deficiency his native sagacity and sound 
judgment, and his intercourse with the best society, 
made much amends in after life. Enterprizing in his 
disposition even now, he removed lo Virginia in 1755, 
with a hope and expectation of improving his fortune. 
Here he continued at first his original business of day 
labour; but exchanged it afterwards for the employ- 
ment of a wagoner. 

His military novitiate he served in the campaign 
under the unfortunate Braddock. The rank he bore is 
not precisely known. It must however have been hum- 
8 



86 MABION AND HIS TIMES. 

ble; for, in consequence of imputed contumely towards 
a British officer, he was brought to the halbert, and re- 
ceived the inhuman punishment of five hundred lashes ; 
or, according to his own statement, of four hundred and 
ninety-nine; for he always asserted that the drummer 
charged with the execution of the sentence miscounted, 
and jocularly added "that George the third, was still 
indebted to him one lash." To the honor of Morgan, 
he never practically remembered this savage treatment 
during the revolutionary war. Towards the British 
officers whom the fortune of battle placed within his 
power, his conduct was humane, mild and gentlemanly. 

After his return from this campaign, so inordinately 
was he addicted to quarrels and boxing matches, that 
the village of Berrystown, in the county of Frederick, 
which constituted the chief theatre of his pugilistic ex- 
ploits, received from this circumstance the name of 
Battletown. In these combats, although frequently 
overmatched in personal strength, he manifested the 
same unyielding spirit which characterised him after- 
wards in his military career. When worsted by his 
antagonist he would pause for a time to recruit his 
strength, and then return to the contest again and again 
until he rarely failed to prove victorious. Equally 
marked was his invincibility of spirit in maturer age, 
when raised by fortune and his own merit to a higher 
and more honorable field of action. Defeat in battle 
he rarely experienced ; but when he did, his retreat was 
sullen, stern and dangerous. 

The commencement of the American revolution 
found Mr. Morgan married, and cultivating a farm, 
which by industry and economy he had been enabled 
to purchase in the county of Frederick. Placed at 
the head of a rifle company raised in his neighbor 



MORGAN SUPERIOR TO TEMPTATION. 67 

hood in 1775, he marched immediately to the Ameri- 
can head-quarters in Cambridge, near Boston. By 
order of the Commander-in-chief, he soon afterwards 
joined in the expedition against Quebec, and was 
made prisoner in the attempt on that fortress, where 
Arnold was wounded and Montgomery fell. During 
the assault, his daring valor and persevering gallantry 
attracted the notice and admiration of the enemy. The 
assailing column to which he belonged was led by 
Major Arnold. When that officer was wounded and 
carried from the ground, Morgan threw himself into the 
lead, and rushing forward, passed the first and second 
barriers. For a moment victory appeared certain. But 
the fall of Montgomery closing the prospect, the assail- 
ants were repulsed and the enterprise abandoned.* 

During his captivity. Captain Morgan was treated 
with great kindness and not a little distinction. He 
was repeatedly visited in confinement by a British offi- 
cer of rank, who at length made an attempt on his 
patriotism and virtue by offering him the commission 
and emoluments of Colonel in the British army on con- 
dition that he would desert the American and join the 
royal standard. Morgan rejected the proposal with 
scorn ; and requested the courtly and corrupt negocia- 
tor " never again to insult him in his misfortunes by an 
offer which plainly implied that he thought him a vil- 
lain." The officer withdrew and did not again recur 
to the subject. 

On being exchanged, Morgan immediately rejoined 
the American army, and received, by the recommenda- 
tion of General Washington, the command of a regi- 
ment. In the year 1777, he was placed at the head of 

* Caldwell's Life of Greene. 



88 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

a select rifle corps, with which in various instances he 
acted on the enemy with terrible effect. His troops 
were considered the most dangerous in the American 
service. To confront them in the field was ahnost cer- 
tain death to the British officers. 

On the occasion of the capture of Burgoyne, the ex- 
ertions and services of Colonel Morgan and his rifle- 
men were beyond all praise. Much of the glory of the 
achievement belonged to them. Yet so gross was the 
injustice of General Gates, that he did not even men- 
tion them in his official despatches. His reason for 
this was secret and dishonorable. Shortly after the 
surrender of Burgoyne, General Gates took occasion to 
hold with Morgan a private conversation. In the course 
of this he told him confidentially, that the main army 
was exceedingly dissatisfied with the conduct of Gene- 
ral Washington ; that the reputation of the Commander- 
in-chief was rapidly declining ; and that several officers 
of great worth threatened to resign unless a change! 
were produced in that department. 

Colonel Morgan, fathoming in an instant the views 
of his commanding officer, sternly and with honest in- 
dignation replied, " Sir, I have one favor to ask. Ne- 
ver again mention to me this hateful subject ; under no 
other man, but general Washington as commander-in- 
chief, will I ever serve." ' 

From that moment ceased the intimacy that had 
previously subsisted between him and General Gates. 
A few days afterwards the general gave a dinner to 
the principal officers of the British, and some of those 
of the American army, Morgan was not invited. In 
the course of the evening that officer found it necessary 
to call on general Gates, on official business. Being 
introduced into the dining-room, he spoke to the gene- 



I 



MORGAN AND GATES. 89 

ralj received his orders, and immediately withdrew, his 
name unannounced. 

Perceiving from his dress that he was of high rank, 
the British officers inquired his name. Being told that 
it was Colonel Morgan commanding the rifle corps, they 
rose from the table, followed him into the yard, and in- 
troduced themselves to him, with many complimentary 
and flattering expressions, declaring that on the day of 
action they had very severely felt him in the field. 

In 1780, having obtained leave of absence from the 
army, on account of the shattered condition of his 
health, he retired to his estate in the county of Freder- 
ick, and remained there until the appointment of gene- 
ral Gates to the command of the Southern army. Be- 
ing waited on by the latter, and requested to accompany 
him, he reminded him, in expressions marked by resent- 
ment, of the unworthy treatment he had formerly ex- 
perienced from him in return for the important services 
which he did not hesitate to assert he had rendered him, 
in his operations against the army of Gen. Burgoyne. 

Having received no acknowledgment, nor even 
civility for aiding to decorate him with laurels in the 
north, he frankly declared that there were no consider- 
ations, except of a public nature, that could induce him 
to co-operate in his campaigns to the south. " Motives 
of public good might influence him; because his 
country had a claim on him in any quarter where he 
could promote her interest; but personal attachment 
must not be expected to exist where he had experienced 
nothing but neglect and injustice." 

The two officers parted mutually dissatisfied; ^he 
one on account of past treatment, the other of the re- 
cent interview. *" 

In the course of a few weeks afterwards, Congress 
8* 



90 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

having promoted colonel Morgan to the rank of bri- 
gadier-general by brevet, with a view to avail themselves 
of his services in the south, he proceeded without delay 
to join the army of General Gates. But he was pre- 
vented from serving any length of time under that 
officer, by his defeat near Camden before his arrival ; 
and his being soon afterwards superseded in command 
by General Greene. 

Such were the qualifications, and such had been the 
services of general Morgan, when Greene took com- 
mand of the Southern army. His conduct in the battle 
of the Cowpens will be stated hereafter. There existed 
in his character a singular contradiction which is 
worthy of notice. Although in battle, no man was 
ever more prodigal of the exposure of his person to 
danger, or manifested a more deliberate disregard of 
death, yet so strong was his love of life at other times, 
than he has been frequently heard to declare, " he 
would agree to pass half his time as a galley-slave 
rather than quit this world for another." 

The following outline of his person and character is 
from the pen of a military friend who knew him 
intimately. " Brigadier General Morgan was stout and 
active, six feet in height, strong, not too much encum- 
bered with flesh, and was exactly fitted for the toils and 
pomp of war. His mind was discriminating and solid, 
but not comprehensive and combining ; his manners 
plain and decorous, neither insinuating nor repulsive ; 
his conversation grave, sententious, and considerate, 
unadorned and uncaptivating. He reflected deeply, 
spoke little, and executed with keen perseverance what- 
ever he undertook. He was indulgent in his military 
command, preferring always the a.Tections of his troops, 



GREENE S CONFIDENCE IN MARION. 91 

to that dread and awe, which surround the rigid dis- 
ciplinarian." 

A considerable time before his deatfi^, when the pres- 
sure of infirmity began to be heavy, he became seriously 
concerned about his future welfare. From that period, 
his chief solace lay in the study of the scriptures, and 
in devotional exercises. He died in the belief of the 
truths of Christianity, and in full communion with the 
Presbyterian church.* 

Gen. Greene fully appreciated the value of an officer 
like a Marion, in a country full of deep rivers and im- 
passable creeks and swamps, where Whigs and Tories 
were hourly butchering each other. " Spies are the 
eyes of an army," Greene wrote to Marion, " and 
without them a general is always groping in the dark, 
and can neither secure himself, nor annoy his enemy. 
At present I am badly off for intelligence. It is of the 
highest importance that I get the earliest intelligence of 
any reinforcement which may arrive at Charleston. I 
wish you, therefore, to fix some plan for procuring such 
information and conveying it to me with all possible 
despatch. The spy should be taught to be particular in 
his inquiries, and get the names of the corps, strength, 
and commanding officer's name — place from whence 
they came and where they are going. It will be best 
to fix upon some body in town for doing this, and have 
a runner between you and him to give you the intelli- 
gence ; as a person who lives out of town cannot make 
the inquiries without being suspected. The utmost 
secrecy will be necessary in the business." 

Of Marion and his movements at this time, we have 
the following description from the pen of Col. Lee. 

* CaldwcU'e Life of Greene. 



92 MABION AND HIS TIMES. 

" Marion was about forty-eight years of age, small In 
stature, hard in visage, healthy, abstemious and taciturn. 
Enthusiastically wedded to the cause of liberty, he de- 
plored the doleful condition of his beloved country. 
The commonweal was his sole object ; nothing selfish, 
nothing mercenary, soiled the ermine of his character. 
Fertile in stratagem, he struck unperceived ; and retir- 
ing to those hidden retreats, selected by himself, in the 
morasses of Pedee and Black river, he placed his corps 
not only out of the reach of his foe, but often out of 
the discovery of his friends. A rigid disciplinarian, he 
reduced to practice the justice of his heart ; and during 
the difficult course of warfare, through which he passed, 
calumny itself never charged him with violating the 
rights of person, property or humanity. Never avoid- 
ing danger, he never rashly sought it ; and acting for 
all around him as he did for himself, he risked the lives 
of his troops only when it was necessary. Never 
elated with prosperity, nor depressed by adversity, he 
preserved an equanimity which won the admiration of 
his friends, and exacted the respect of his enemies. 
The country from Camden to the sea-coast, between 
the Pedee and Santee rivers, was the theatre of his 
exertions." 

When Lee joined Marion, previous to the assault on 
Georgetown, (detailed in the preceeding chapter) an 
officer, with a small party, was sent in advance to find 
out Marion, who was known to be constantly changing 
his position among the swamps of Pedee, sometimes in 
South Carolina, sometimes in North Carolina, and 
sometimes on the Black river. With the greatest diffi- 
culty did this officer learn how to communicate with 
him ; and did it by the accident of hearing among our 
friends on the north side of the Pedee, of a small pro- 



PREDATORY WARFARE. 93 

vision party of Marion being on the same side of the 
river. Making himself known to this party, he was 
conveyed to the general, who had changed his ground 
since his party left him, which occasioned many hours 
search even before his own men could find him.* 

While at Snow's island, Marion kept himself busy 
in annoying the enemy. In January 1781, he sent 
two small detachments of militia, under the command 
of Major Postell and Cap. Postell, to cross the Santee. 
The former destroyed a great quantity of valuable 
stores at Manigault's ferry ; the latter did the same at 
another place in the vicinity. Marion^ himself marched 
to Keithfield, near Monk's corner, where he destroyed 
fourteen wagon-loads of soldier's clothing and baggage ; 
besides several other valuable stores, and took forty 
prisoners, chiefly British regulars, and effected the 
whole without any loss. In the course of these desul- 
tory operations, he killed and captured a number of 
British and Tories, more than double his own force.f 

Gen. Greene, conscious that it would be madness to 
encounter the superiority of the British forces in a 
pitched battle, encouraged this predatory warfare, and 
many skillful and gallant successes were obtained over 
the enemy in these skirmishes. On one occasion. Bri- 
gadier Morgan penetrated the country between the two 
armies, after a foraging party of British. But the 
vigilant adversary eluded the blow, and returned in 
safety to Camden. Lieut. Col. Washington,^ at the 
head of the cavalry, having taken a more extensive 

* Lee*s Memoirs. t Ramsay. — See Appendix D. 

t Lieut. Col. William Washington, eldest son of Baily Wash- 
ington, of Stafford county, Va. 



MARIOPr AND HIS TIMES. 

range than the infantry, discovered that a party of loy- 
alists were stationed at Rudgley 's farm, about twelve miles 
from Camden. He moved instantly towards them, in 
expectation of carrying the post by surprise ; but in this 
he was disappointed, as they occupied a barn, surround- 
ed by an abattis, and secure from an attempt of calva- 
ry. Rudgley and his friends were delighted with the 
safety their precaution had produced, and viewed the 
approach of horse with indifference. Short was their 
repose. Col. Washington, well informed of the char- 
acter of his enemy, shaped the trunk of a tree in imita- 
tion of a field piece, and, bringing it up in military 
style, affected to prepare to cannonade the barn. To 
give solemnity to the device, he sent in a flag, warning 
the garrison of the impending destruction, which could 
only be avoided by submission. Not prepared to resist 
artillery, Rudgley seized with promptitude the oppor- 
tunity, and, with his garrison of one hundred men, 
surrendered at discretion ! 

Gen. Greene, understanding that the inhabitants of 
the district of Ninety six, who had submitted to the royal 
authority, were severely harrassed by the acts of plun- 
der committed by the King's troops and the Tories, des- 
patched Gen. Morgan into that quarter with a small de- 
tachment, which, on its arrival, was speedily increased 
by the oppressed inhabitants, who were highly indig- 
nant and burning for revenge.* 

The British commander-in-chief, hearing of this 
movement, despatched Col. Tarleton with a command 
of 1100 men to drive Morgan out of the district. This 
detachment, after a fatiguing progress of some days, 
at about ten o'clock, on the evening of the 16th January, 

* See Appendix E. 



, THE BATTLE OF COWPENS. 95 

'1781) reached the ground which Morgan had quitted 
t)ut a few hours previous. The pursuit commenced at 
2 o'clock next morning, and was rapidly continued 
hrough marshes and broken grounds till day-light. 

Morgan, having been accustomed to fight and con- 
:juer, did not relish this eager pursuit of Tarleton ; and 
sate down at a place called the Cowpens, near Pacolet 
river, to give rest and refreshment to his troops, with 
1 resolution no longer to avoid action, should his enemy 
:)ersist in pressing it. The British, beside their field 
nieces, had the superiority in infantry, in the proportion 
3f five to four, and in cavalry of more than three to 
3ne. Beside, nearly two-thirds of the troops under Mer- 
cian were militia. Morgan drew up his men in two 
ines. The whole of the North and South Carolina 
Tiilitia present, were put under the command of Col. 
Pickens, and formed the first line, which was advanced 
1 few hundred yards before the second, with orders to 
mm on the right of the second when forced to retire. 
Fhe second line consisted of the light infantry under 
Lieut. Col. Howard, and the Virginia riflemen. 
Lieut. Col. Washington, with his cavalry, and about 
brty.five militia, mounted and equipped with swords, 
jnder Lieut. M'Call, were drawn up at some distance 
n the rear of the whole. The open wood in which 
hey were formed, was neither secured in front, flank 
)r rear.* 

On the verge of battle, Morgan availed himself of 
he short and awful interim to exhort his troops. First 
iddressing himself, with his characteristic pith, to the 
ine of militia, he extolled the zeal and bravery so often 
lisplayed by them, when unsupported with the bayonet 

* Gordon's History. 



96 MARION AND HIS TIMES. , 

or sword ; and declared his confidence that they would 
not fail in maintaining thefr reputation, when supported 
by chosen bodies of horse and foot, and conducted by 
himself Nor did he forget to glance at his own unva- 
rying fortune, and superior experience ; or to mention 
how often, with his corps of riflemen, he had brought 
British troops, equal to those before him, to submission. 
He described the deep regret he had already experienced 
in being obliged, from prudential considerations, to re- 
tire before the enemy ; exhorted the line to be firm and 
steady, to fire with good aim, and if they would pour 
in but two volleys at killing distance, he would take 
upon himself to secure victory. Then, taking post with 
his line, he waited in stern silence for the enemy.* 

The British, led by Tarleton himself, advanced with 
a loud shout to the attack, and poured in an incessant 
fire of musketry. Col. Pickens directed the militia not 
to fire until the British were within forty or fifty yards. 
This order, though executed with great firmness, was 
not sufficient to repel the enemy. The British ad- 
vanced rapidly and engaged the second line. The 
Continentals, after an obstinate resistance, were com- 
pelled to retreat to the cavalry. Col. Ogilvie, of the 
enemy, had been ordered to charge the right flank of 
the Americans, and was engaged in cutting down the 
militia ; but being exposed to a heavy fire, and charged 
at the same time by Col. Washington's dragoons, he was 
forced to retreat in confusion. A great number of the 
British infantry oflEicers had already fallen, and nearly 
a proportionable one of privates. Col. Howard seized 
this favorable opportunity, rallied the Continentals, and 
charged with fixed bayonets, nearly at the same mo- 

* Lee*8 Memoirs. 



VICTORY OF THE AMERICANS. 97 

ment when Col. Washington made his successful at- 
tack. The example was instantly followed by the 
militia. Nothing could exceed the astonishment of the 
British, occasioned by these unexpected charges. 
Their advance fell back, and communicated a panic to 
others, which soon became general. Two hundred 
and fifty horse, which had not been engaged, fled 
through the woods with the utmost precipitation, bearing 
down such officers as opposed their flight ; and the 
canon were soon seized by the Americans, the detach- 
ment from the train being either killed or wounded in 
their defence. The greatest confusion now followed 
among the infantry. In the moment of it, Lieut. Col. 
Howard called to them to lay down their arms, and 
promised them good quarters. Some hundreds accepted 
the offer and surrendered. The first battalion of the 
71st. regiment, and two British light-infantry com- 
panies, laid down their arms to the American militia. 
The only body of infantry that escaped was a detach- 
ment left at some distance to guard the baggage. 
Early intelligence of the defeat was conveyed, by some 
Tories, to the officer commanding that corps. What 
part of the baggage could not be carried off, he imme- 
diately destroyed ; and with his men mounted on the 
wagons and spare horses, he retreated to Lord Corn- 
wallis. The British had 10 commissioned officers and 
upwards of a 100 rank and file killed ; 200 wounded; 
29 commissioned officers, and above 500 privates fell 
into the hands of the Americans, besides two pieces of 
artillery (first taken from the British at Saratoga, then 
retaken by them at Camden, and now recovered by the 
Americans) two standards, 800 muskets, 35 baggage 
wagons, and upwards of 100 dragoon horses. 

Col. Washington pursued Tarleton's cavalry for sev- 
9 



08 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

eral miles, but the far greater part of them escaped. 
In the eagerness of pursuit, Col. Washington advanced 
nearly thirty yards in front of his regiment. Observing 
this, three British officers wheeled about, and made a 
charge upon him. The officer on his right was aim- 
ing to cut him down, when a sergeant came up and 
intercepted the blow by disabling his sword arm. At 
the same instant, the officer on his left was also about 
to make a stroke at him, when a waiter, too small to 
wield a sword, saved him by wounding the officer with 
a ball discharged from a pistol. At this' moment the 
officer in the centre, who was believed to be Tarleton, 
made a thrust at him, which he parried ; upon which 
the officer retreated a few paces, and then discharged 
a pistol at him, which wounded his knee.* 

In this battle the Americans had only 12 men killed 
and 60 wounded. 

In the meantime General Marion actively followed 
up his operations against the British and Tories on the 
Pedee river, and he so effectually thwarted the schemes 
of the enemy, that to drive him out of the country be- 
came again a favorite object of Lord Cornwallis. He 
and his brigade were the terror of the Tories. A new 
and well-concerted attempt to destroy, or disperse, the 
brigade was made early in 1781. Tarleton and others, 
as we have seen, were engaged in pursuit of Marion 
without success ; and now a Col. Watson was sent 
with a body of picked men, amounting to five hundred, 
with orders to search him out and destroy him and his 
brigade. This march was to be conducted with great 
caution, and was remarkably well planned. 

Meanwhile Marion, Col. Horry, Major and Captain 

* Marshall's Life of Washington. 



INHUMANITY OP THE TORIES. 99 

Postell, M'Cawley, and others, continued their opera- 
tions against the British posts and the Tories. The 
warfare was various and bloody. Marion always felt 
the want of ammunition. Often did he go into an en- 
gagement when he had not three rounds to each man 
of his party. At other times he brought his men into 
view, though without a particle of ammunition, that he 
might make a show of numbers to the enemy. To 
provide swords for his brigade, the saws of the mills 
throughout the country were put into the hands of 
blacksmiths and converted into sabres. He and his 
men slept in the open air, and sheltered themselves in 
the thick recesses of deep swamps ; from whence he 
sallied out whenever an opportunity of harassing the 
inemy presented itself. 

Lieut. Roger Gordon, of Marion's party, being on a 
Bcout upon Lynch's creek, stopped at a house for re- 
freshments. While there, the house was beset and 
fired by a Capt. Butler and a party of Tories, greatly 
superior in numbers. Gordon's party surrendered 
jpon a promise of quarters, but after laying down their 
irms, Butler fell upon them SLtid butchered ihemincold 
blood. In consequence of this massacre " No quarters 
for Tories" was hereafrer the cry of Marion's men 
when going into action. Still, however, the regular 
British forces were treated with lenity, and agreeably 
to the generally received rules of war, when they laid 
down their arms. 

Whilst the brigade were encamped at Snow's island. 
Major John Postell was stationed to guard the lower 
part of the river Pedee. While there, Capt. James 
Depeyster of the royal army, with 29 grenadiers, 
having taken post in the house of the major's father, 
the major posted his small command of 28 militia men 



100 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

in such positions as commanded its doors, and demand- 
ed their surrender. This being refused, he set fire to 
an out-house, and was proceeding to burn that in which 
they were posted ; and nothing but the immediate 
submission of the whole party restrained him from 
sacrificing his father's valuable property to gain an 
advantage for his country. 

As has been stated, careful preparations were in em- 
bryo for the surprise and capture of Marion and his 
brigade. Coi. Watson, to whom this expedition was 
entrusted, left Fort Watson early in the spring, with 
five hundred men ; and at the same time Col. Doyle, 
at the head of a British regiment, left Camden, to join 
Watson at Snow's island, as it is supposed. Watson 
moved down the Santee. Of his movements Marion 
had ample information, but the slow approach of Doyle 
was in a measure unsuspected. 

Marion called in his scouting parties, and marched 
with his whole force to encounter Watson. He laid 
the first ambuscade for Watson, at a swamp nearly 
opposite the mouth of the present Santee canal, on the 
east side of the river. Marion had but very little am- 
munition ; not more than two rounds to each man. His 
orders were to give two fires and retreat ; and they 
were executed by Col. Peter Horry with great effect, 
Watson made good the passage of the swamp, nnd sent 
Major Harrison, with a corps of Tory cavalry and 
British, in pursuit of Horry. This had been forseen 
by the cautious Marion ; and Cap. Daniel Conyers, at 
the head of a party of cavalry, was placed in a second 
ambuscade. As soon as the Tories and British came 
up, Conyers, in a spirited and well-directed charge, 
killed with his own hands the officer who led the oppo- 
site charge, (Harrison,) and his men followed his gal- 



MABION FORDING THE RIVER. 101 

lant example. Many of Harrison's party were killed, 
and the remainder made their escape to the main body 
of the British. 

Marion continued to harrass Watson on his march, 
keeping just sufficiently ahead of him to place an am- 
buscade wherever an opportunity presented itself; by 
pulling up bridges, and opposing him in like manner 
at every difficult pass, until they reached the lower 
bridge on Black river, seven miles below King's Tree. 
Here Watson made a feint of marching down the 
road to Georgetown. Marion, being too weak to de- 
lach a party to the bridge, had taken an advantageous 
post on the road ; when Watson, wheeling suddenly 
about, gained possession of the bridge on the west side. 
Phis was an important pass on the road leading into 
the heart of Williamsburg and to Snow's island. The 
river on the west runs under a high bluff; the grounds 
3n the opposite side are low, and the river, though 
generally fordable, was then raised by a freshet nearly 
up to the summit of the opposite shore. 

Watson still hesitated about passing. Marion, with- 
out delay, approached the river, plunged into it on 
horseback, and called his men to follow. With alac- 
rity they one and all followed their gallant leader, 
reached the opposite shore in safety, and marched for- 
ward to occupy the east end of the bridge. Marion 
ietached Major James with forty musqueteers, and 
thirty riflemen under M'Cottry, to burn the bridge. 
The riflemen were posted to advantage on the river 
bank ; but as soon as their friends had gained posses- 
sion of the east end of the bridge, and had applied 
fascines to it, Watson opened the fire of his artillery 
upon them ; but it was unavailing. The west bank of 
the river was so much elevated above the east, that be- 
9* 



If02 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

fore his field pieces could be brought to bear upon the 
Americans, his artillerists were exposed to the fire of 
the riflemen, who deliberately picked them off as they 
advanced to the summit of the hill. In the meantime 
Major James's party fired the bridge. 

Watson was now completely cut off in his attempt 
to pass the river, and he was so much intimidated that 
he, retreated down the banks of the stream, Marion's 
men picking off his men from the opposite shore. 
Night put an end to the conflict, and both parties en- 
camped in the woods. On the following day, Marion 
as successfully baffled every attempt of the enemy t«> 
cross the river, and Watson found himself losing so 
many of his men, and the sharp-shooters of the Amer- 
icans annoyed him so effectually, that he turned and 
retreated higher up the river; pitching his camp in the 
most open field he could find, dreading the woods, be- 
hind every tree of which he feared a rifle. Thus he 
remained several days, completely surrounded by an 
active foe, who cut off his supplies, and his men were 
almost hourly perishing in the continued skirmishing 
that the Americans kept up. He finally proceeded by 
forced marches towards Georgetown. Marion re- 
crossed the river, and hung alternately on the rear, the 
flanks, or the front of the enemy, until they reached 
Sawpit bridge, nine miles from Georgetown, where a 
skirmish took place, in which Watson very nearly lost 
his life. Watson, fatigued in body, and mortified in 
spirits, finally reached Georgetown. 

Col. Doylo, meanwhile, had reached Snow's islnnd, 
and driven Col. Erwin, who had been left there with a 
few men to guard it, from the place, and Marion's 
stores had fallen into his hands. This was disastrous 
intelligence to Marion, but, much as he grieved over 



RETREAT OP DOYLE. 105 

the loss of arms and ammunition, he was too well 
schooled in adversity to regard it in any other light 
than an accident of war, and he promptly marched his 
men in pursuit of Doyle. Doyle made his way to 
Lynch's creek at Witherspoon's ferry, where he posted 
himself. When Marion arrived at the creek, they dis- 
covered the British on the opposite side busy in scut- 
tling the ferry boat. M-Cottry advanced in front, 
cautiously approaching the water's edge, and gave 
them an unexpected fire. A short conflict took place, 
the balls of the enemy hitting the branches and tops 
of the trees behind which the riflemen of M'Cotiry 
were sheltered, whilst the well directed aim of the latter 
seldom failed of doing execution. Doyle retreated, 
pursued several miles by Marion, and finally hurried 
as fast as possible back to Camden. 

This attempt to capture Marion and disperse his 
brigade, proved as successful as the former similar 
undertakings of Wemyss and Tarleton. 

In addition to these skirmishes, Marion made two 
descents upon Georgetown. In the first, he came un- 
expectedly on a body of Tories whom he charged and 
dispersed, killing their captain and several privates. In 
the second, he marched to Georgetown, and began re- 
gular approaches against the British post at that place. 
The British evacuated their works, and retreated to 
Charleston. 



CHAPTER VI. 

CornwaUis pursues the. American army. Greene joins 
Morgan. Crossing of the Catawba — crossing the Yad- 
kin — crossing the Dan. Marion's enterprize against 
the British and Tories. Gen. Greene returns into 
North Carolina. A gathering of the Tories ; Colonel 
Lee's manoeuvre by which between 200 and 300 of them 
are cut to pieces. Tarleton's retreat. Greene asking 
bread of h i^ soldiers. The battle of Guilford Court- 
House. Marion besieges Fort Watson — Lee joins him 
— novel expedient by which the fort is captured. The 
battle of Camden, ^c. 

The defeat of Col. Tarleton at Cowpens was highly 
unexpected to Lord Cornwallis, and he instantly re- 
solved on a pursuit of the American arnny, with an 
expectation of demolishing Morgan's corps, and re- 
gaining the British prisoners he had taken. Having 
presented to the reader the partizan movements of 
Marion, we now proceed to sketch the history of the 
army up to the point of time concluding the exploits 
of the partizans in the previous chapter. 

Morgan, aware of the consequences of delay, sent 
on the militia with the prisoners taken at Cowpens, and, 
to cover their retreat, manoeuvred in their rear with his 
cavalry and infantry. Greene concluded that if he 
were present with Morgan, he could so order the move- 
ments of both divisions for fornriing a junction, as 
would excel any directions which could otherwise be 
given. He therefore left the camp, and set forward, 
attended by one aid-de-camp, and two or three militia 
men armed and mounted. The first intelligence he 

106 



CROSSING OF THE CATAWBA. 107 

gained on the route was that Cornwallis was marching 
after Morgan with great expedition. Greene continued 
his route, and, on the 31st of January, after a journey 
of 150 miles, joined the light troops encamped at 
Sherrard's Ford, on the north side of the Catawba. 
About two hours after iMorgan crossed the Catawba, 
the British advance arrived. It rained hard that night, 
and the river rose so high as to prevent Cornwallis 
from getting over. Had the rise taken place a few 
hours earlier, Morgan, with his whole detachment and 
five hundred prisoners, would scarcely have had a 
chance of escaping. Cornwallis could not cross for 
two days, which gave an opportunity of sending the 
prisoners forward with safety. 

The arrival of Gen. Greene was no less providen- 
tial than the rise of the river. Gen. Morgan was for 
retreating over the mountains, a different route from 
what Greene proposed. So attached to his own opin- 
ion was Morgan, he declared he would not be answer- 
able for consequences if it was not followed. " Neither 
will you," replied Greene, " for I shall take the mea- 
sure upon myself," and he gave directions accordingly. 
The event has shown that the other route must have 
proved fatal, and that the junction of the light troops 
with the main army could not have been effected 
by it. 

When the waters subsided, Cornwallis crossed the 
Catawba, and hurried on after the Americans, hoping 
to overtake them before they should get over the Yad- 
kin ; but when he arrived at that river, to his great 
mortification, he found that the Americans had crossed 
it, partly in flats, and partly by fording, and had se- 
cured the boats on the other side. Here, as at the 



108 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

Catawba, a rapid rise of the river took place, and re- 
tarded the British. 

Unable to cross at the spot where the Americans did, 
Cornwallis was obliged to march his troops twenty-five 
miles higher up the stream, where he found it fordable. 
And whilst he was employed in this circuitous move- 
ment, time was given for Greene to unite his main army 
with the forces of Morgan, on the 7th of February, near 
Guilford Court House, where they rested and refreshed 
themselves. Greene's forces still being so weak in com- 
parison to the enemy, he did not choose to risk an en- 
gagement, but hastened on towards the river Dan ; 
whilst Cornwallis, traversing the upper country where 
the streams are fordable, proceeded in the hope that he 
might gain upon the Americans so as to overtake them, 
in consequence of their being obstructed by the deep 
water below. But the advantages resulting from the 
season of the year, and from the face of a country in- 
tersected with rivers and creeks, were so improved by 
the sagacity and activity of Greene, as completely to 
haflie Cornwallis ; and his army crossed the Dan into 
Virginia, artillery, baggage and all. So narrow was 
the escape, however, that the van of Cornwallis's army 
arrived in time to witness the ferrying over the rear. 

It was with inexpressible vexation that Cornwallis dis- 
covered all his exertions had been in vain, that all his 
hopes were frustrated. Heconsoledhimself, however, with 
the reflection that the American army being driven out 
of North Carolina, he was master of the State, and in 
a condition to recruit his forces by the accession of 
Tories to his ranks. He erected the royal standard at 
Hillsborough, and summoned all true subjects of His 
Majesty, George III, to repair to it. 

During these transactions, Gen. Marion defended 



RISING OF THE TORIES. 109 

himself with his faithful brigade, in the swamps and 
morasses of the settlements near Charleston, and was 
frequently sallying out from his hiding-places, and en- 
terprizing something in behalf of his country. He in- 
tercepted the British convoys, infested their out-posts, 
destroyed their stores, beat up their quarters, and so 
harr^ssed them with alarms that they were always 
obliged to be on their guard. 

Cornwallis had long been led to suppose that there 
would be a general risingof loyalists in his favor through- 
out the State of North Carolina. Greene being informed 
that numbers had actually joined the royal standard at 
Hillsborough, and that many others were repairing to 
make their submission, was apprehensive that, unless 
some' spirited measure was immediately taken, the 
whole country would be lost to the American cause. 
He concluded, therefore, upon returning into North 
Carolina. He re-crossed the Dan on the 21st of Febru- 
ary, and, the more effectually to alarm Cornwallis and 
discourage the Tories, rode with his aid-de-camp twenty- 
one miles towards the enemy, and within about fifteen 
of his lordship. The report of his being within that 
distance soon reached Cornwallis, who inferred that the 
American army was equally near; and he despatched 
Col. Tarleton with the British legion from Hillsborough 
across the Haw river to Major CNielPs plantation, to 
protect a considerable number of loyalists appointed to 
meet there on the 24th inst. Gen. Pickens and Col, 
Lee, who had intelligence of Tarleton's movements, 
concerted measures to bring him to action. Lee's cav- 
alry were to attack tho#e of Tarleton's command, 
while Pickens' militia should disperse the collected 
Tories. These Tories got together in a great body, on 
the night of February 25th, in a long lane leading 
10 



110 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

towards O'Neill's house. Lee led his cavalry into the 
lane, mistaking the Tories for a part of Pickens' militia, 
which he supposed had arrived there before him. After 
he discovered the distinguishing red rag in their hats, 
he with great presence of mind passed on, intending to 
leave them to the treatment of their countrymen under 
Pickens. When these came up, and a firing had com- 
menced between them and the royalists, Lee, with his 
cavalry, returned and fell upon the latter, who not see- 
ing Tarleton's dragoons, mistook Lee's cavalry for 
them. While laboring under this mistake, Lee and his 
cavalry cut them down as they were making ardent 
protestations of loyalty, and asserting "that they were 
the very best friends to the king." A horrid slaughter 
was made of them, between 200 and 300 being cut to 
pieces. 

Tarleton was refreshing his legion about a mile from 
the scene. Upon hearing the alarm, he ordered his 
men to mount, precipitately re-crossed the Haw, and, 
returned to Hillsborough. On his retreat he also cut 
down several of the royalists as they were advancing 
to join the British army, mistaking them for rebel mili- 
tia of the country. This event, together with Greene's 
having re-crossed the Dan, confused all the measures 
of Cornwallis. The tide of public sentiment was no 
longer in his favor. The recruiting service declined 
and was stopped, which, had it proceeded a fortnight 
longer, would have so strengthened his lordship that it 
is more than probable he would have been able to keep 
possession of the country. The advocates for royal 
government were discouraged, and could not be induced 
to act with confidence. Considerable numbers who 
were on their way to join his lordship, returned home 
to await further events. 



ACTION NEAR GUILFORD COURT HOUSE 111 

While Gen. Greene was in fact unequal to even de- 
fensive measures, and waited to have his army 
strengthened, he lay for seven days within ten miles 
of Cornwallis' camp ; but he took a new position every 
night, and kept it as profound a secret with himself 
where the next was to be; so that Cornwallis could not 
gain intelligence of his situation in time to avail him- 
self of it. During these manoeuvres, Greene was often 
obliged to ask bread of the common soldiers, having 
none of his own. Miserable too was the situation of 
his men for clothing, " many hundreds of the soldiers 
marking the ground with their bloody feet. But not- 
withstanding their sufferings and excessive fatigue, they 
remained in good spirits."* 

On the 15th of March an engagement took place 
near Guilford Court-house. All the advantages of vic- 
tory were on the side of the Americans, for although 
Cornwallis kept the field, he had suffered such loss in 
the action, that he was unable to act on the offensive 
directly afler, and was soon compelled to march to- 
wards Wilmington, (N. C.) leaving his sick and wounded 
behind him. On his retreat he was pursued by Gen. 
Greene as far as Deep river.f 

The prompt resolution of Gen. Greene now was to 
carry the war without delay into South Carolina ; there- 
by to oblige the enemy to follow him, or to endanger 

* Letter from Greene to Gen. Washington. — One day, Gen. 
Greene, passing a sentinel who was barefooted, said " I fear, my 
good fellow, you suffer much from the cold." — " Very much," 
was the reply, "but I don't complain; I know we should fare 
better if our general had the means of getting us supplied. They 
say, however, we shall have a fight in a few days, and then I shall 
take care to secure a pair of shoes for myself." 

"t See Appendix F. 



112 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

their posts in that state. He discharged all his militia, 
refreshed his regular troops, collected a few days' pro- 
visions, marched on the 5th of April towards Camden, 
and in the morning of the 20th encamped at Log-town, 
within sight of the enemy's works. On this march, 
Col. Lee, with his partizan legion, was detached to join 
Gen. Marion, on a secret expedition. To secure the 
provisions that grow on the banks of the Santee and 
Congaree rivers, the British had erected a chain of 
posts in their vicinity. One of the most important was 
on Wright's Bluff, and called Fort Watson, situated be- 
tween Camden and Charleston. To take this fort was 
a desirable object of the commander of the American 
army, and the undertaking was consigned to Marion, 
and Lee was to assist. 

Lee having arrived within a day's distance of the 
Pedee, sent forward an officer, with a small party of 
dragoons, to discover in what part of his extensive 
range the Swamp Fox then was. The officer, on, 
reaching the river, learned that Marion, when heard 
from a few days before, was in the swamps of Black 
river. This was his general quarters when he found 
it necessary to retire from active service. It not only 
afforded safety, but, there being several fertile plan- 
tations in one settlement, he was well supplied with 
provisions and forage. Marion received with joy Lee's 
officer, and furnished boats, which he kept concealed 
on the Pedee, for the transportation of the corps across 
the river. That the meeting of these military friends 
was cordial, we have from various authority. They had 
not met since their joint attempt upon Georgetown, and 
were rejoiced at being again united in the great object 
of wresting South Carolina from the British. The 
letter from Gen. Greene, inclosing his plan of opera- 



STE6E OP FORT WATSON, 113 

lions, was delivered by Lee to Marion. The evening 
was devoted to repose, and on the next day the two 
corps quitted the dark and marshy recesses of the 
swamp, for the execution of the trust confided to them. 

Determined to carry Fort Watson without delay, on 
the 15fh of April, Marion, with Lee, sat down before it. 
Marion commanded the place to surrender, but was 
answered by a haughty defiance from Cap. M'Koy, the 
commandant. The fort was an Indian mound, gene- 
rally supposed to have been the burial-place, at some 
remote period, of the aborigines inhabiting that region ; 
it was at least thirty feet high, and surrounded by 
table land. ' 

Miuion, from information he had received, did not 
doubt but the garrison would soon be compelled to ca- 
pitulate for want of water, with which it was supplied 
from an adjacent lake, and from which it was now in 
his power to effectually seclude it. Cap. M'Koy, the 
commandant, saw at once his inevitable fate, unless he 
could devise some other mode of procuring water, for 
which purpose he sunk a well within the fort, and baf- 
fled Marion's expectation upon this point. 

Destitute both of artillery and intrenching tools, 
Marion and Lee began to be doubtful of success, when 
Major Mayham, one of the brigade, suggested a plan, 
which was no sooner communicated than adopted. He 
proposed to cut down a number of trees, and with 
them, piled crosswise, one above the other, to raise a 
tower sufficiently high to overlook the enemy's breast- 
work ; this tower to be covered at the top with a floor 
of logs to stand upon; and protected on the side op- 
posite the fort with a defence of light timber. Dragoons 
were immediately despatched to the neighboring farms 
for axes, the only necessary tool, of which a sufficient 
10* ^ 



114 MAHIOX AND HIS TIMES. 

number being soon collected, relays of working parties 
were allotted for the labor ; some to cut, some to con- 
vey, and some to erect. 

Major Mayham undertook the execution of his plan, 
which was completely finished before the morning of 
the 23rd, presenting to the eyes of the besieged a lofly 
tower of an elevation higher than their fort. The be- 
sieged, like the besiegers, were unprovided with artil- 
lery, and could not interrupt the progress of the work. 

A party of riflemen, being ready, took post in the 
wooden tower the moment it was completed ; and a 
detachment of musketry, under cover of the riflemen, 
moved to make a lodgment in the enemy*fe ditch, sup- 
ported by Lee,s legion with fixed bayonets. Such was 
the eminence of the tower, the riflemen fired into every 
part of the fort, and Cap. M'Koy, finding every re- 
source cut off*, hung out the white flag. It was fol- 
lowed by a proposal to surrender, wliich resulted in 
capitulation. Marion despatched an official letter to 
Gen. Greene, dated the same day, (April 23. 1781,) 
detailing the manner in which the fort was taken ; en- 
closing a list of the prisoners and stores taken, and 
announcing his determination of marching to the High 
Hills of Santee, there to await his orders. The num- 
ber of prisoners taken were 114. In the course of the 
following day they were brought to the camp of Greene. 

Camden was defended by Lord Rawdon with about 
900 men, and already straitened for provisions, and 
despairing of succor, he resolved to risk a battle. 
Giving orders for his troops to make ready, he ad- 
vanced at 9 o'clock on the morning of the 25th April, 
and, avoiding the direct approach to the American 
camp, he took a circuitous course, along the margin of 
the swamp which lines Pine-tree-creek, and winds with 
its meanders. 



BATTLE OP CAMDEN. 117 

The Americans were most of them cooking their vic- 
tuals,* and Greene was at breakfast, when some of the 
advance sentinels, half a mile in front of the camp, fired 
upon the van of the British. The American army, 
notwithstanding its short notice, was quickly ranged for 
action. All the baggage, as is customary in general 
actions, was ordered off. The cavalry, which was un- 
saddled and feeding on the first alarm, was quickly 
ready ; and so certain was Greene of success, he ordered 
Lieut. Col. Washington to turn the right flank of the 
British, and to charge in their rear. By this time the 
fire between the British van, and the American light- 
infantry pickets became very lively. Greene in per- 
son led on two Virginia regiments. The artillery were 
well posted and doing great execution, and a small body 
of militia was coming into action, when suddenly a 
number of the Americans began to retire, though the 
danger was not apparently great, and every body 
seemed ignorant of the cause. Col. Washington, in 
the execution of the order given him, had at one time 
possessed himself of near 200 prisoners; but he relin- 
quished the greatest part on seeing the army retire. 
The officers he paroled on the field of battle ; and then 
collecting his men, wheeled round, made his own re- 
treat good, carrying off with him fifi;y prisoners. The 
fortune of the day was irretrievable, but Greene, with 
his usual firmness, instantly took measures to prevent 
Rawdon improving the success he had obtained. The 

* In the morning Carrington joined, with a comfortable supply 
of provisions, which had been rather scarce during the late hurried 
changes of position. These were issued, and of course engaged a 
portion of the troops ; while the residue were employed along the 
rivulets in washing their clothes, an occupation which had been for 
some days past impracticable, iee's Memoirs of the Southern War. 



118 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

retreat was effected with such good order and delibera- 
tion, that most of the American wounded, ail their artil- 
lery and baggage were safely carried off, together with 
six royal commissioned officers, beside Col. Washing- 
ion's prisoners. The action was continued with inter- 
vals till about four in the afternoon, and till the Amer- 
icans had retreated about four miles ; when a detach- 
ment of the infantry and cavalry under Col. Washing- 
ton were ordered to advance and annoy the British. 
The British retired to Camden; the Americans en- 
camped about five miles from their former position. 
The field of battle was occupied only by the dead. 

Very soon after the action, Greene, knowing that 
the British garrison could not subsist long in Camden 
without fresh supplies from Charleston or the country, 
detached a reinforcement to Marion, on the road to 
Nelson's ferry ; and on the 3rd of May he crossed the 
Wateree, and took occasionally such positions as would 
most effectually prevent succors from going into the 
town from that quarter. On the 7th of May, Lord 
Rawdon received a considerable reinforcement under 
Col. Watson. With this increase of strength, he at- 
tempted the next day to compel Gen. Greene to another 
action, but found it impracticable. Failing in his design 
he returned to Camden, and on the 10th burned the 
jail, mills, many private houses, and a great part of 
his own baggage. He then evacuated his post, and 
retired with his whole army south of the Santee, leav- 
ing about thirty of his sick and wounded, and as many 
of the Americans, taken in the recent action. He offered 
every assistance in his power to the friends of the 
British government who would accompany him. Seve- 
ral families accepted his offer, but were cruelly neglected 
after their arrival at Charleston. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Evacuation of Camden — surrender of the garrison at 
Orangeburg. Marion beseiges Fort Motte — anecdote 
of Mrs. Motte — the roof of her mansion fired by ar- 
rows — surrender of the fort. Marion rapidly follows 
up his successes — Georgetown surrenders to him. Ma- 
rion and Sumptex dispersing the tories. The seige 
of Ninety Six ; the seige is abandoned. Greene offers 
battle to Lord Rawdon. Marion and Lee drive Col. 
Coates from Monk's corner — gallant pursuit of the 
British — battle of Quinby bridge — Col. Armstrong — 
fifty of the brigade killed. The execution of Col. 
Hayne. Marion defeats the British at Parker^s ferry. 
Battle of Eutaw Springs. 

The evacuation of Camden animated the friends of 
patriotism, and daily increased their numbers, while 
the British posts fell in quick succession. .The day- 
after the evacution, the garrison of Orangeburg consist- 
ing of 70 British militia, and 12 regulars, surrendered 
to Gen. Sumpter. 

Marion and Lee, after the capture of Fort Watson, 
crossed the Santee, and moved up to the siege of Fort 
Motte. This post was the principal depot of the con- 
voys from Charleston to Camden. A large new man- 
sion house, belonging to Mrs. Motte, situated on a high 
and commanding hill, had been selected by the British. 
It was surrounded by a deep trench, along the interior 
margin of which was raised a strong and lofty parapet. 
To this post had been regularly assigned an adequate 
garrison of about one hundred and fifty men, which 
was now accidentally increased by a small detachment 

119 



120 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

of dragoons, — which had arrived from Charleston, a 
few hours before the appearance of the American troops, 
on its way to Camden, with despatches to Lord Raw- 
don. The fort was commanded by Cap. M'Pherson, 
with a garrison of 165 men. 

Opposite Fort Motte, to the north, stood another hil), 
where Mrs. Motte having been dismissed from her 
mansion, resided in an old farm house. On this height, 
Col. Lee, with his corps, took post, while Marion and 
his brigade occupied the eastern declivity of the ridge 
on which the fort stood. Very soon the fort was com- 
pletely invested ; and a six pounder was mourrted on a 
battery erected in Marion's quarter for the purpose of 
raking the northern face of the enemy's parapet, against 
which Lee was preparing to advance. M'Pherson was 
unprovided with artillery, and depended for safety upon 
timely relief, not doubting its arrival before the assail- 
ant could push his preparations to maturity. 

The vale running between the two hills admitted a 
safe approach for the Americans to within four hundred, 
yards of Fort Motte. This place was selected to break 
ground. Relays of working parties being provided for 
every four hours, and Marion having persuaded some 
of the negroes from the neighboring plantations to as- 
sist, the works advanced with rapidity. It was on the 
8th of May, the Americans set down before the fort, 
and such was the forwardness of their works on the 
10th, that it was determined to summon M'Pherson to 
surrender. 

A flag was accordingly despatched to the comman- 
dant; he replied, that, disregarding consequences, he 
should continue to resist to the last moment in his 
power. The retreat of Rawdon was known in the 
evening to the besiegers ; and in the course of the night 



COL. LEE AND MRS. MOITE. 121 

a courier arrived from Gen. Greene confirming that 
event, urging redoubled activity, and communicating 
his determination to hasten to their support. Urged by 
these gtrong considerations, Marion and Lee persevered 
throughout the night in pressing the completion of the 
works. On the next day, Rawdon reached the country 
opposite Fort Motte ; and in the succeeding night, en- 
camping on the highest ground in his route, the illumi- 
nation of his fires gave the joyful annunciation of his 
approach to the despairing garrison. But the hour was 
close at hand to convert this joy into sadness. 

The large mansion of Mrs. Motte in the centre of 
the surrounding trench, left but a few yards of the 
grounds within the fort uncovered, and burning the 
house must force the garrison to surrender. The ex- 
pedient of setting fire to the roof by shooting arrows 
upon it, was the plan suggested by Marion, and orders 
were instantly issued to prepare bows and arrows 
with combustible matter. 

The devoted house was a large pleasant edifice, in- 
tended for the summer residence of the respectable 
owner, whose deceased husband had been a firm friend 
to his oppressed country. Dearly was Mrs. Motte be- 
loved by the Americans, and it was with somewhat of 
reluctance they adopted the measure. Nevertheless, 
the imperative obligations of duty must be obeyed ; the 
house must burn ; and a respectful communication to 
the lady of her destined loss must be made. The next 
morning. Col. Lee imparted to Mrs. Motte the intended 
measure; lamenting the sad necessity, and assuring 
her of the deep regret which the unavoidable act ex- 
cited in his own breast and that of those under his 
command. 

With a smile of complacency, this exemplary lady 

n 



123 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

listened to the embarrassed officer, and gave instant re- 
lief to his agitated feelings, by declaring that she was 
gratified with the opportunity of contributing to the 
good of her country, and that she would view the ap- 
proaching scene with delight. Learning the manner 
in which it was intended to set the house on fire, she 
brought forward a bow and arrows, imported from Af- 
rica, that happened to be in her possession, requesting 
their substitution, as probably better adapted for the 
object than those already provided. 

The lines were now manned, and an additional force 
stationed at the battery, lest the enpmy, perceiving his 
fate, might determine to risk a desperate assault, as 
offering the only chance of relief. x\s soon as the 
troops reached their several points, a flag was again 
sent to M'Pherson, for the purpose of inducing him to 
prevent the conflagration and slaughter which else 
must ensue. But the British captain remained immove- 
able, repeating his determination of holding out to the 
last. 

It was now about noon, and the scorching rays of 
the sun had prepared the shingles of the roof for con- 
flagration. The bow and aprows were put into the 
hands of a strong-armed member of Marion's brigade. 
He drew the bow, and an arrow flew, striking the 
roof, and three of the shots communicated fire to the 
shingles, quickly kindling it into a blaze. M'Pherson 
ordered a party to repair to the roof of the house, and 
by knocking off* the shingles to stop the flames. As 
soon as this was perceived, the fire of the six-pounder 
was brought to bear upon them, and they were soon 
driven down ; and no other effort to stop (he flames 
being practicable, M'Pherson hung out the white flag. 



SIEGE OF NINETY-SIX. 125 

Mercy was extended, although policy commanded 
death.* 

Two days after this surrender, the British evacuated 
their post at Nelson's ferry — blew up their fortifica- 
tions — and destroyed a great part of their stores. The 
day following, Fort Granby, about thirty miles to the 
westward of Fort Motte, surrendered by capitulation, 
and 352 men, a great part of them Tories, were taken 
prisoners. On the 21st of May, the British post at 
Silver Bluff, called Fort Dreadnaught, surrendered to 
a detachment of Americans; prisoners, and a large 
quantity of stores falling into the hands of the captors. 

Marion now proceeded against Georgetown ; post 
after post of the British had successively yielded, and 
Gen. Greene was now ready to advance upon Ninety 
Six, the only remaining fortress in the State, besides 
Charleston, in the enemy's possession. Marion's ap- 
pearance before Georgetown was early in June, and the 
garrison, after merely a feint of resistance, fled to their 
galleys. Marion secured the stores, demolished the 
works, and retired. 

Ninety-six was strongly garrisoned by the British, 
under Col. Cruger of New York, and, assiduous as 
were the exertions of Gen. Greene, he was unsuccess- 
ful in his attempt to reduce it. Lord Rawdon, with a 
reinforcement of troops from Ireland, marched from 
Charleston and relieved it, compelling Greene to re- 
treat. 

The following is an account of this siege as described 
by Ramsay, in his Hist, of South Carolina, vol. 2. page 
423, " Greene proceeded with the main army to Ninety- 
Six. This place, being of great consequence, was de- 

* Lee's Memoirs. 
11* 



126 MASION AND HIS TIMES. 

fended by a considerable force. Lieut. Col. Cruger 
conducted the defence with great bravery and judg- 
ment. On the left of the besiegers was a work erected 
in the form of a star ; on the right was a strong stock- 
ade-fort, with two block-houses in it. The town, flanked 
by these two works, was also picquetted with strong 
picquets, and surrounded with a ditch, and a bank near 
the height of a common parapet. There were also 
several flushes in several parts of the town, and all the 
works communicated with each other by covered ways. 

« On the 23rd of May, 1781, the main body of the 
American army encamped in a wood, within half a 
mile of Ninety-Six ; and, on that night, threw up two 
flushes within a hundred and fifty yards of the star 
fort. The next morning the enemy made a sally, and, 
being supported by the artillery and musketry from the 
parapet of the star redoubt, drove the besiegers from 
them. The next night two strong block batteries were 
erected at the distance of three hundred and fifty yards, 
which were opened in the morning. Another battery 
twenty feet high, erected within two hundred and 
twenty yards, was finished within a few days ; and 
soon afterwards another of the same height was erect- 
ed within a hundred yards of the same fort. 

" Approaches were gradually carried on against the 
redoubt on the left. Col. Kosciusko, a young gentle- 
man of distinction from Poland,* superintended the 

* Thaddeus Kosciusko, a Polish general and patriot, waa born 
in 1746, in Lithuania. When the American colonies threw off 
the yoke of the Mother Country, Kosciusko entered into their 
service and was made a colonel of engineers and aid-de-camp to 
Washington. After the Independence of America, he returned 
to his native country and took an active part in her struggles. 
After the fall of Poland he was imprisoned in St, Petersburg un- 
til the accession of the Czar Paul, who liberated him. The re- 



THE BRITISH REINFORCED. 127 

operations of the besiegers, and by his assiduity, though 
the ground was hard and the situation unfavorable, a 
third parallel within thirty yards of the ditch was com- 
pleted on May 14th ; and a rifle-battery, upwards of 
thirty feet high, erected at the same distance. On the 
17th, the abbatis was turned, and two trenches and a 
mine were extended so as to be within six feet of the 
ditch. Few sieges afford greater instances of perseve- 
rance and intrepidity, than were exhibited on this 
occasion by the besiegers and besieged. Riflemen were 
employed on both sides, who immediately levelled at 
every person who appeared in sight, and very seldom 
missed their object. Various success attended the con- 
flicts between the several covering parties of the 
workmen, and those who repeatedly sallied from the 
garrison. * 

" On the 3rd of June, twelve days after the com- 
mencement of this siege, a fleet arrived at Charleston 
from Ireland, having on board, the 3rd, 19th and 30th 
regiments of his Britannic Majesty, a detachment from 
the guards, and a considerable body of recruits, the 
whole commanded by Lieut. Col. Gould. Earl Corn- 
wallis had given permission to the commanders of the 
British forces in South Carolina, to detain these rein- 
forcements if they conceived that the service of his 
Britannic Majesty required it ; otherwise they were to 
be sent forward to join his lordship. On the 7th of 
June, Lord Rawdon marched from Charleston, with 
these newly arrived troops, for the relief of the gar- 
rison at Ninety-Six. Great were the difliiculties they 



maining part of his existence was spent in America, France and 
Switzerland, but chiefly in France. He died at Soleure, Oct. 
17. 1817. — Biographical Dictionary. 



128 KASION AND HIS TIMES. 

had to encounter in rapidly nnarching under the rage 
of a burning sun through the whole extent of South 
Carolina. 

" The Annerican army had advanced their approach- 
es very near the critical point, after which further re- 
sistance on the part of the garrison would have been 
temerity. At this interesting moment, intelligence was 
received that Lord Rawdon was near at hand. An 
American lady, who had lately married a British officer 
then in the British garrison at Ninely-Six, had been 
bribed by a large sum of money to convey a letter to 
Col. Cruger with the news of the approaching relief. 
The vicinity of this large force made it necessary for 
the Americans either to raise the siege, or attempt the 
reduction of the place by a coup-de-main. This last 
was agreed upon, and the necessary dispositions were 
nqade on the 18th of June. Col. Lee, with his legion 
of infantry, and Cap. Kirkwood's light infantry, made 
the attack on the right. Col. Campbell, with the first 
Maryland and first Virginia regiments, were to have 
stormed the redoubt, the ditch of which was eight or 
nine feet deep, the parapet eleven or twelve feet high, 
and raised with sand-bags near three more. 

" The forlorn-hopes were led on by lieutenants Du- 
val and Sheldon, and were followed by a party with 
hooks and intrenching tools, to pull down the sand-bags 
and reduce the parapet. Had this been effected, the 
beseiged could not have annoyed the assailants without 
exposing themselves to the American marksmen. The 
artillery soon made sufficient breaches on the fortified 
redoubt on the right, for the infantry under the com- 
mand of Col. Lee to assault the garrison. It was 
therefore abandoned, and the Americans took posses- 
sion without loss. The parties, led by Duval and SheU 



CAPTUKE OP BRITISH DRAGOONS. 129 

don entered the ditch, and, though galled by an inces- 
sant fire, made every effort to get down the sand-bags. 
Both these gallant officers were wounded, and not 
more than one in six of their party escaped. 

" The near approach of lord Rawdon, and the uncer- 
tainty of final success, induced Greene to raise the 
siege, and retreat over the Saluda ; after having lost 
about one hundred and fifty men." 

It was a mortifying circumstance to the Americans, 
to be obliged to abandon the siege when in the grasp 
of victory. On this sudden turn of affairs, Greene 
was advised by some persons to leave the state, and 
retire with his remaining force to Virginia. To such 
suggestions he nobly answered — " I will recover the 
country, or die in the attempt." 

On the 20th of June, the American army crossed 
the Saluda, and retired towards Broad River. They 
reached the Enoree on the 24th. Thus far Lord Raw- 
don pursued them; when finding it impossible to over- 
take them, he faced about and returned. He consoled 
himself with the imaginary advantage of having driven 
the rebels out of the country, supposing they had gone 
to North Carolina or Virginia. But Greene halted and 
refreshed his army ; and, being informed that Raw- 
don, with about half his army, was marching to the 
Conga ree, all the effective infantry marched by way of 
VVinnsboro, to encounter the British. The cavalry 
was previously detached to watch the motions of Raw- 
don, and did it so effectually, that a part of them 
charged and took a captain, a lieutenant, a cornet, and 
forty-five privates of British dragoons, with all the 
horses and accoutrements, one mile from their en- 
campment. 

In the meantime, Marion and Sumpter were folIoW' 



130 HARION AND HIS TIMES. 

ing up their success in dispersing the Tories wherever 
they got information of their gatherings. On the 12th 
of July, Gen. Greene, having called in the militia un- 
der Marion and Sumpter, and attaching them to the 
Continentals, offered Lord Rawdon buttle. But his 
lordship, secure in his strong position at Orangeburg, 
would not venture out, and Greene was too weak to 
attack him with any prospect of success. Greene now 
detached the cavalry of the legion, the slate troops, 
and the militia, to make a diversion towards Charles- 
ton, and the rest of the army was ordered to the High 
Hills of Santee. Sumpter was placed in command of 
this detachment, with Lee, Marion, Taylor, Horry, 
Mayham, Hampton, and others, acting under him. 
This detachment was sent off to Monk's Corner, and 
Dorchester, and moved by different roads to the scene 
of operations. 

Col. Lee broke up the post at Dorchester, and inter- 
cepted and captured all the wagons and horses belong- 
ing to a convoy of provisions, on its way to the Bri- 
tish. Col. Wade Hampton, with the state cavalry, 
pressed on to within five miles of Charleston, fell, in 
with some mounted Refugees, dispersed the whole, and 
made forty or fifty prisoners. He also rook fifty pri- 
soners at Strawberry Ferry, and burned four vessels 
loaded with valuable stores for the British army. 
Sumpter and Marion hastened towards Monk's Cor- 
ner, where lay the 19th regiment of the British, com- 
manded by Col. Coates, with a garrison of 500 infan- 
try, and upwards of 100 cavalry, at Bi^gen's church, 
about a mile distant. Sumpter and Marion arrived 
before this post on the same day, and Col. Lee, having 
called in his parties, followed on the subsequent morn- 
ing. Lee expected Sumpter would have seized the 



i 



BATTLE OP UUINMY BRIDGE. 133 

bridge over Cooper river, near Monk's Corner, which 
afforded a direct route to the militia camp. But Col. 
Coates, the British commander, had very prudently 
occupied the bridge with a detachment from his regi- 
ment, compelling Lee to take a very circuitous route 
through deep sands, in the heat of July, to reach 
Sumpter, then ready with Marion to fall upon the 
enemy as soon as the desired junction should take 
place. The next morning the enemy were to be as- 
saulted, but during the night Coates decamped, setting 
fire to the church which had been used by him as a 
magazine and fortress, and where a great quantity of 
stores were accumulated. These stores Coates did not 
choose to leave for the accommodation of the Ameri- 
cans, and at about midnight the latter descried from 
their camp the roof of the building on fire. 

Pursuit of the British was immediately commenced, 
led on by Lee's legion and Hampton's state cavalry. 
Lee came up with a part of the enemy near Quinby 
bridge. With this body of men was the greater part 
of the baggage of the British army. The Americans 
charged upon them furiously, and so terrified were they 
that they threw down their arms, and begged for quar- 
ters. The cavalry, leaving the captured in care of a 
few militia, pressed on for Quinby bridge, and Captain 
Armstrong, with the leading section, first came in sight 
of Coates, who, having passed the bridge, was care- 
lessly reposing, waiting for his rear guard, which had 
been captured, having determined to destroy the bridge 
as soon as it and his baggage should have passed it. 
Already he had raised the planks from the sleepers, 
lying them on loosely, ready to be thrown into the 
stream when the rear should get over. 

Armstrong put spur to his horse, ajid at the head 
12 



134 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

of his section dashed over the bridge in face of the en- 
emy, throwing himself upon the guard stationed there 
with a howitzer. So sudden was this charge, he drove 
all before him — the guard abandoning their piece. 
Some of the loose planks were dashed off by x\rm- 
strong's section, which, forming a chasm in the bridge, 
presented a dangerous obstacle. Nevertheless the 
second section, headed by Lieut. Carrington, took the 
leap and closed with Armstrong. Cap. O'Neal, with 
the third section, cowardly halted. The bridge was 
densely crowded, and plank after plank sliding from the 
bridge into the stream. The creek was deep in water 
and deeper in mud, so that the dragoons, who had dis- 
mounted for the purpose of replacing the planks, could 
not get a foothold to stand upon ; nor was it possible to 
find any firm ground from which to swim the horses 
across. 

In this perplexing condition, the victory gained by 
the gallantry of Armstrong and Carrington was wrested 
from them, when to complete it only a passage across 
the creek, not twenty yards wide, was wanting. The 
British, discerning the state of matters, took courage 
and rallied. Armstrong and Carrington, saw them- 
selves unsupported, and were compelled to abandon the 
unequal contest. They forced their way down the road, 
turning into the woods up the stream to rejoin the corps. 
Col. Lee continued struggling to replace the planks, 
until Coates, relieved from Armstrong, repaired with 
the few around him to defend the bridge, where re- 
mained bis deserted howitzer. The most of his men 
had fled from the field— Coates himself, with a few 
others, had gallantly defended himself at the side of a 
wagon, effectually parrying the many sabre strokes 
aimed at his head. Col. Lee, having only sabres to 



DESTBVCTION AMONG THE BRIGADE. 135 

oppose the enemy's fire, and those sabres withheld 
from contact by the interposing chasm, was forced to 
draw off from the vain contest, after several of his dra- 
goons had been wounded. 

As soon as he had reached the enemy, Lee des- 
patched the intelligence to Marion, urging his approach ; 
and now foiled at the bridge, he communicated to Ma- 
rion his having moved some distance up the creek to 
a ford. Marion pressed his march with diligence, 
bringing with him the legion-infantry; and having 
passed the creek, united with Lee in the afternoon. 
By this time the British, after destroying the bridge, 
had advantageously posted themselves in the house and 
negro huts of a plantation. An attack, however, was 
made, the post of danger being taken by Marion and 
his brigade, who followed it up for three hours. The 
British were too securely posted to be dislodged, and 
their fire from the houses was severely destructive 
among the ranks of Marion, of whom between forty 
and fifty were killed. The loss of the enemy was 
seventy. 

About this time Lord Rawdon, leaving Lieut. Col. 
Stewart in command at Orangeburg, sailed for New- 
York, and from there to Europe. Stewart did not es- 
tablish a post, as was expected, at Orangeburg, but, 
moving his whole force towards the Santee, sat down 
near the confluence of its two branches, about fifteen 
miles from the American army, on the opposite side of 
the river. 

That we may form a clearer conception of the 
miseries attending this war in South Carolina, we have 
before us copies of letters transmitted to different per- 



136 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

sons from Gen. Greene at this period. The following 
are extracts — " The animosity of the Whigs and Tories 
of this state, renders their situation truly deplorable. 
There is not a day passes, but there are more or less 
who fail a sacrifice to this savage disposition. The 
whigs seem determined to extirpate the tories, and the 
lories the whigs. Some thousands have fallen in this 
way in this quarter, and the evil rages with more 
violence than ever. If a stop cannot soon be put to 
to these massacres, the country will be depopulated in 
a few months more, as neither whig nor tory can live." 
Among other atrocities, the murder of Col. Isaac Hayne 
roused the indignation of the Americans, and left a 
deep disgrace upon the character of the British — a dis- 
grace so indelible that time can never remove it. 

During the siege of Charleston, Col Hayne served 
his country in a corps of njounted militia. After 
the capture of the city, and the investment of it with 
British authority, no alternative was left him, but either 
to abandon his family and property, or to surrender to 
the conquerors. He concluded, that instead of waiting 
to be captured, it would be more safe and honorable to 
go within the British lines, and voluntarily surrender 
himself. Accordingly he repaired to Charleston, and 
offered to bind himself by the honor of an American 
officer, to do nothing prejudicial to the British interest 
till he should be exchanged. Reports made of his 
superior tibilities and influence, uniformly exerted in 
the American cause, operated with the conquerors to 
refuse him a parole, though they were daily granting 
that indulgence to other inhabitants. He was told he 
must either become a British subject or submit to close 
confinement. To be arrested and detained in Charles- 
ton, was not to himself an intolerable evil, but to aban- 



SITUATION OP COL. RAYNX. 137 

don his family both to the ravages of the small-pox, 
then raging in the neighborhood, and to the insults and 
depradations of the loyalists, was too much for the 
tender husband and fond parent. To acknowledge 
himself the subject of a government which he had from 
principle renounced, was repugnant to his feelings ; but 
without this he was cut off from every prospect of a 
return to his family. To his friend Dr. Ramsay, 
(afterwards the historian) who was then a prisoner with 
the enemy, he communicated the conflicting emotions 
of his mind. *' If the British," said he, *' would grant 
me the indulgence, which we in the day of our power 
gave to their adherents, of removing family and proper- 
ly, I would seek an asylum in the remotest corner of 
the United States rather than submit to their govern- 
ment ; but as they allow no other alternative than sub- 
mission or confinement in the capital, at a distance 
from my wife and family, at a time when they are in 
the most pressing need of my support, I must for the 
present yield to the demand of the conquerors. I re- 
quest you to bear in mind, that, previous to my taking 
this step, I declare that it is contrary to my inclination, 
and forced on me by hard necessity. / never will 
bear arms against my country. My new masters can 
require no service of me but what is enjoined by the 
old militia law of the province, which substitutes a fine 
in lieu of personal service. That I will pay as the 
price of my protection. If my conduct should be cen- 
sured by my countrymen, I beg that you would remem- 
..ber this conversation, and bear witness for me, that I 
do not mean to desert the cause of America." 

In this state of perplexity, this amiable man sub- 
scribed a declaration of his allegiance to the king of 
Great Britain, but not without expressly objecting to the 
12* 



138 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

clause which required him to bear arms in support of 
the royal government. The commandant of the gar- 
rison, Brig Gen. Paterson, and James Simpson Esqr, 
intendant of the British police, assured him that this 
would never be required ; and added further that when 
the regular forces could not defend the country without 
the aid of its inhabitants, it would be high time for the 
royal army to quit it. 

Having submitted to the royal government, he was 
permitted to return to his family, happy in the expec- 
tation of preserving it through the prevailing pestilence. 
But in this hope he was sorely disappointed ; his wife 
and two children fell victims to the fatal malady. 
These afflictions were augmented by the flict that the 
British authorities, in violation of their contract with 
him, repeatedly called upon him to take up arms 
against his countrymen, and finally threatened him with 
close confinement if he did not comply. 

In this situation Hayne was found when Greene forced 
the enemy from the upper country. A detachment of 
Marion's militia, under Col. Harden, passing to the west 
of the Edisto for the protection of their homes, reached 
the neighborhood of Hayne. They solicited his co- 
operation. The success of their cause was the wish of 
his heart he said, but stated the change in his political 
condition, and that he was bound by his declaration of 
allegiance. Yet he assured them that whenever he 
found the royal authority unable to afford its promised 
protection, he should consider himself absolved from the 
extorted allegiance, and would with joy enrol himself 
with the defenders of his country. 

Thus did Col. Hayne scrupulously adhere to a 
contract which was never obligatory, — having been 



COL. HAYNE AND M'lAUGHLIX. 139 

coerced by the duress of power, and in palpable violation 
of the capitulation of Charleston. 

Soon after this occurrence, the British were driven 
below the Edisto, and nearly the whole country there 
fell under protection of the American arms. Every 
person in the recovered country believed himself re- 
leased from the obligations imposed by the late condi- 
tion of affairs ; for it was justly thought that the allegi- 
ance due to a conqueror ceased with his expulsion from 
the subdued territory. Under this correct impression, 
Hayne and many others repaired to the American camp. 
His merit attracted immediate attention, and the militia 
of his district honored him with the command of a regi- 
ment. He immediately took the field, and conducted 
an expedition in the enemy's country. Some of his 
mounted militia penetrated the neck of Charleston, and, 
near the quarter-house, took Gen. Williamson prisoner. 
This was the same Williamson who was an active offi- 
cer in the South Carolina militia from the commence- 
ment of the war to the surrender of Charleston, after 
which event he became a British subject, and was as 
energetic in supporting the royal authority as before he 
had been opposed to it. 

Such was the anxiety of the British commandant to 
rescue Williamson, he ordered out bis whole cavalry on 
the business. This detachment fell suddenly on the 
camp of Hayne ; but was handsomely received and re- 
pelled by Col. Harden, who, owing to the inferiority of 
his force, did not deem it prudent to push his success 
by pursuit. Col. Hayne, (attended by his second lieu- 
tenant. Col. M'Laughlin) had unfortunately gone to 
breakfast with a friend about two miles from camp. 
The house was on the Charleston road, and Hayne was 
unapprized of the enemy's approach until he saw them 



140 MABION AND BlS TIMES. 

a few rods from the door. Being very active and reso- 
lute, he pushed for his horse, mounted, and forced his 
way through the foe. To pass a fence in his route, he 
put spur toliis horse, who fell in making the leap, and 
the entangled rider was overtaken by his pursuers. 
M'Laughlin, being cut off from his horse, died sword in 
hand, bravely contending against the surrounding 
enemy. 

Col. Hayne was conveyed to Charleston, and lodged 
in the prison of the Provost. This prison was the mid- 
dle part of the cellar under the Exchange. The damp- 
ness of this unwholesome spot, together with the want 
of a fire-place, caused among its unhappy inmates some 
deaths and much sickness. In it the American State 
prisoner and the British felon shared the same fate. 

At first, Col. Hayne was promised a trial, and had 
counsel prepared to justify his conduct by the laws of 
nations and usages of war ; but this was finally refused, 
and he was ordered to be executed on the 3lst of July. 
This sentence was given by lord Rawdon and Col. 
Balfour. The prisoner addressed a letter to the two 
British officers, to which the town major returned the 
following answer. *' I have to inform you, that your 
execution is not ordered in consequence of any sentence 
from the Court of Inquiry ; but by virtue of the authority 
with which the commander-in-chief in South Carolina 
and the commanding officer in Charleston are invested: 
and their resolves on this subject are fixed and un- 
changeable." 

The royal Lieut. Gov. Ball, and a great number of 
the inhabitants, both royalists and patriots, interceded 
for his life. The ladies of Charleston generally signed 
a petition in his behalf Mrs. Perronneau, his sister, 
accompanied by his children, all clad in the deepest 



4 

LAST MOMENTS OF COL. HATNE. 143 

mourning, and manifesting the torture of heart-rending 
agony, waited on Lord Rawdon, and on their knees 
supplicated for the life of their unfortunate relative. 
But ail was of no avail ; his lordship's " resolve was 
fixed and unchangeable." 

Disdaining further discussion with relentless power, 
Hayne merely solicited a short respite, to enable him 
for the last time to see his friends and children. The 
respite was granted. He was repeatedly visited by his 
friends, and conversed on various subjects with becom- 
ing fortitude. He particularly lamented that, on prin- 
ciples of retaliation, his execution would probalily be 
an introduction to the shedding of much blood. Ho 
requested those in whom the supreme power was vest- 
ed, to accommodate the mode of his death to the feel- 
ings of an officer ; but this was refused. On the last 
evening of his life, he told a friend that he was " no 
more alarmed at the thoughts of death than at any 
other occurrence which was necessary and unavoidable." 

On receiving his summons, on the morning of the 
4th August, (1781) to proceed to the place of execu- 
tion, he delivered to his eldest son, a youth thirteen 
years of age, several papers relative to his case, say- 
ing, " Present these papers to Mrs. Edwards, with my 
request that she forward them to her brother in Con- 
gress. You will next repair to the place of execution, 
receive my body, and see it decently interred among 
my forefathers." He then embraced his son, implor- 
ing the Divine Blessing upon his orphan children, and 
took his final leave of the boy. Dressed with his ac- 
customed neatness, accompanied by a few friends, he 
marched with unruffled serenity through a weeping 
crowd. The procession began from the Exchange, in 
the forenoon. The streets were thronged with thou- 



144 MARION AND HlS TiMES, 

sands of anxious spectators. He continued on his way 
to the place of execution, with such decent firmness, 
composure and dignity, as to awaken the compassion 
of many, and command respect from all. There was 
a majesty in his sufferings which rendered him supe- 
rior to the pangs of death. 

When the city barrier was past, and the instrument 
of his catastrophe appeared in full view, a faithful 
friend by his side whispered that he " trusted he would 
exhibit an example of the manner in which an Ameri- 
can can die." 

" 1 will endeavor to do so," was the tranquil reply 
of the martyr ; and never was an intention better ful- 
filled. Neither arrogating superiority, nor betraying 
weakness, he ascended the cart, with a firm step and 
serene aspect. He inquired of the executioner, who 
was making an attempt to get up to pull the cap 
over his eyes, what he wanted. Upon being inform- 
ed of the man's object, he replied, " I will save you 
that trouble," and pulled the cap over his own eyes. 
He then gave the signal for the cart to move, illustra- 
ting by his demeanour that death in the cause of our 
country, even on a gallows^ cannot appal the virtuous 
and the brave ! 

Thus perished, in the bloom of his life, a gallant 
officer, a worthy citizen, a just and upright man ; fur- 
nishing an example of heroism that extorted a confes- 
sion from the British, " that though he did not die in a 
good cause, he must at least have acted from the per- 
suasion of its being so." Unhappily for this virtuous 
man, the royal power was fast declining in the South. 
The inhabitants were eager to cast olT the temporary 
allegiance of the conquest ; it was deemed necessary 
to awe them into submission by some distinguished se- 
verity, and Col. Hayne was the 'selected victim ! 



MARIOir RELIEVES COL. HARDEN. 145 

Marion and his brigade, though they mourned the 
loss of their brave compatriots at the battle of Quin- 
by's bridge, were far from being disheartened, and 
while the main army was encamped among the High 
Hills during the intense heat of the season, we find 
them and their leader busy at work among the Tories. 
With a body of two hundred men, Marion proceeded 
on a secret expedition to the relief of Col. Harden, 
who was closely pressed by a very superior force of 
British in the vicinity of the Edisto. Marching ra- 
pidly a distance of over a hundred miles, he arrived in 
time to concert an ambuscade in a swamp adjacent to 
Parker's Ferry, where he decoyed the enemy, and com- 
mitted a terrible slaughter upon their cavalry, rescuing 
Harden without any loss. 

Gen. Greene now concerted measures for forcing the 
British from their posts. Though the two armies were 
within fifteen miles of each other on a right line, yet, 
as two rivers intervened, and boats could not be pro- 
cured, the American army was obliged to make a 
circuit of seventy miles, the more conveniently to cross 
the Wateree and the Congaree. Soon after crossing 
these rivers, they were joined by Pickens, with a party 
of militia ; and Marion and his brigade reached them 
on the 7th of September, the day before the battle of 
Eutaw Springs.* The whole American force being 
thus collected, 2000 in all, Greene prepared to give 
battle. The force of the British under Col. Stewart, 
was about the same in number. They had retired from 

* " We moved by slow and easy marches, as well to disguise 
our real intention, as to give General Marion an opportunity to 
join us, who had been detached for the support of Col. Harden. 
Gen. Marion joined us on the evening of the 7th,, at Burdell's 
plantation, seven miles from the enemy's camp." — Gen. Greene's 
Correspondence. 

13 



146 HAHION AND HIS TIMES. 

the Congaree about forty miles, and taken post at 
Eutaw Springs, about sixty miles north of Charleston. 
Quite early on the morning of the 8th, the Ameri- 
cans moved to the attack, and fell in with two ad- 
vanced parties of the British, about four miles ahead 
of the main army. These, being briskly charged by 
the legion and state troops, soon retired. The front 
line advanced, and continued firing, and advancing on 
the British legion till the action became general. In 
the hottest of the engagement, while great execution 
was doing on both sides. Col. Williams and Col. Camp- 
bell, with the Maryland and Virginia continentals, 
were ordered by Greene to charge with trailed arms. 
Nothing could surpass the intrepidity of both officers 
and men on this occasion. They pushed on in good 
order, through a heavy cannonade and shower of mus- 
ketry, with such unshaken resolution, that they bore 
down all before them. Col. Lee, with great address, 
turned the left flank of the British, and attacked them, 
at the same time in the rear. Henderson, being wound- 
ed early in the action, the South Carolina state troops 
were led on by Col. Hampton, the next in command, 
to a very spirited charge, in which were taken upwards 
of a hundred prisoners. The militia from North and 
South Carolina was commanded by Marion, General 
Marion, Colonel Malmady, and General Pickens, con- 
ducted the troops with great gallantry and good con- 
duct, and the militia fought with a degree of spirit and 
firmness that reflected the highest honor upon that 
class of soldiers. 

The British were routed in all quarters, and were 
closely pursued. On their retreat, numbers of them 
threw themselves into a strong brick house; others 
took post in a picquetted garden among impenetrable 
shrubs. The eagerness of the Americans urged them 



DEATH OF COL. CAMPBELL. 147 

to attack the enemy in these positions. Col. Washing- 
ton made every possible exertion to dislodge them from 
the thickets, but failed ; he had his horse shot under 
him, and was wounded and taken prisoner. 

The battle lasted upwards of three hours, and was 
fiercely contested, every corps in both armies bravely 
supporting each other. The loss was uncommonly 
great, — more than one-fifth of the British, and one- 
fourth of the American army, being killed and wound- 
ed. The British made 60 prisoners, all wounded. The 
Americans about 500. The entire loss of the British 
amounted to more than 1100. Among the killed of 
the American officers, was the brave Lieut. Colonel 
Campbell of the Virginia line. After his fall he in- 
quired who gave way, and being informed the British 
were fleeing in all quarters, he added, " / die content- 
€£i," and immediately expired. 

The British commander, leaving his dead unburied, 
commenced a retreat, and avoided the engagement 
which Gen. Greene had determined to renew on the 
following day. Pursuit was commenced, and Greene 
detached Marion and Lee, with a view of seizing the 
first strong pass on the road to Charleston, as well as 
to interrupt Stewart, and to prevent any accession of 
force which might be detached from the British gar- 
rison at Charleston ; while he himself continued in 
his camp, activoiy engajjed in preparing arrangements 
for the conveyance of the wounded to the High Hills. 
Marion and hee, approaching the enemy*s left, discov- 
ered that he had been busily employed in sending off 
his sick and wounded. News was received that a de- 
tachment from Monk's Corner, led by Maj. M'Arthur, 
was hastening to join Stewart. This detachment effected 
its junction with the main army, and Marion retired to 
a favorite place of retreat in the Santee river swamp. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Malicious destruction of property by the British ; their 
officers speculating in negroes. The fall of Corn- 
wallis — rejoicings in the camp. The tories massacre 
Cap. Turner and twenty others by a band of tories — 
Cunningham's murder of Hayes and others. The 
army at Round O — its tattered condition — mutiny — 
execution of Gornell. Marion elected to the legisla- 
ture — he repairs to Jacksonbo rough — the British take 
advantage of his absence. Marion hastens to the Pedee 
country to quell a rising of the Tories under Major 
Gainey. Murder of Col. Kolb by the Tories. Treaty 
between Marion and Gainey. Marion protects Butler, 
the tory. Evacuation of Charleston by the British. 
Marriage of Marion. His death. 

Marion did not remain in the Santee river swamp 
any longer than to refresh his men and call in new re- 
cruits, for the British commander, well convinced that 
the career of British arms in South Carolina was not 
to continue much longer, began to lay waste the plan- 
tations and destroy property. The prospects of gain 
from the sale of negroes were too seducing to be re- 
sisted by the officers of the British army. They 
plundered them from the plantations, and shipped them 
from Charleston to the West Indies, where they found 
a ready market. It has been computed that between 
the years 1775 and 1783, the state of South Carolina 
lost in this way twenty-five thousand negroes. It was 
with a view of profit thus to be gained that the Tories 
frequently made a rising, plundered the plantations of 
the Whigs, carried off* their negroes, and sold them to 
148 



MASSACBE OF WHIGS BY TOBIES. 149 

the British officers for small prices. Against Tory 
gatherings of this kind Marion and his brigade, every 
now and then set forth, dispersing them and keeping 
them in check. 

The tidings of the capture of Cornwallis at York- 
town,* reached the American camp on the 9th Novem- 
ber, and there was consequently much rejoicing. At 
the same time, the thanks of Congress were forwarded 
to Marion. 

About the middle of November (the 18th) Greene 
broke up his camp at the High Hills, and put his army 
in motion. The British retreated before him, and such 
was the success of the Americans, that the enemy were 
completely shut up in the city of Charleston and its 
isthmus. At this juncture, a desperate band of Tories 
adopted the infernal scheme of taking their last revenge, 
by carrying fire and sword into the plantations adjoin- 
ing the city. To this end. Major William Cunningham, 
of the British militia, collected a party ; and having 
furnished them with every thing necessary for laying 
waste the country, sallied from Charleston. In the un- 
suspecting hour of sleep, and domestic security, they 
entered the houses of solitary farmers, and sacrificed 
to their revenge the obnoxious head of the family. 
Their cruelties induced some small parties to associate 
and arm in self-defence. Cap. Turner and twenty 
men, on these principles, had taken post in a house and 
defended themselves til I their ammunition was expended. 
After which they surrendered themselves, on receiving 
assurance that they should be treated as prisoners of 
war. Notwithstanding this solemn agreement, Turner 



* 19th October, 1781. 
13* 



150 HARION AND HIS TIME5. 

and his party were put to instant death by Cunningham 
and the men under his command. 

Soon after this massacre, the same party of Tories 
attacked a number of American militia-, in the district 
of Ninety-Six, commanded by Col. Hayes, and set fire 
to the house in which they had taken shelter. The 
only alternative left was either to be burned, or to sur- 
render themselves prisoners. The latter being preferred, 
Col. Hayes and Cap. Daniel Williams were at once 
hung on the pole of a fodder stack. The pole broke 
and they fell, upon which Cunningham inhumanly cut 
them to pieces with his own sword ; then, turning upon 
the others, he continued on them his operations of sav- 
age barbarity, till the powers of nature being exhausted, 
and his enfeebled limbs refusing to administer any 
longer to his insatiate fury, he called upon his com- 
rades to complete the dreadful work, by killing which- 
ever of the prisoners they pleased. They instantly put 
to death such of them as they personally disliked. 
Only two fell in action, but fourteen were deliberately 
cut to pieces.* 

The further progress of this sanguinary officer and 
his butchering followers, was checked by Marion, who 
drove him back to Charleston. 

The main army under Gen. Greene was now en- 
camped at Round O, situated between the Edisto and 
Ashepoo rivers, about fifty miles from Charleston. 
Greene detached Marion with his militia to the east of 
Ashley river, with orders to guard the district between 
that river and the Cooper. 

The tattered condition of Greene's and Marion's 
soldiers at this time, and their destitute situation, was 

* Ratnsay. 



MARION IN THE LEGISLATURE. 151 

such " that seven hundred of them were as naked as 
they were born, excepting a small slip of cloth about 
their waists ; and they were nearly as destitute of meat 
as clothing. Though they had abundant reason to 
complain, yet, while they were every day marching, 
and almost every week fighting, they were in good 
health, good spirits, and good humor; but when the 
enemy was confined within his fortifications, and they 
were inactive, they became sickly and discontented, and 
a few began to be mutinous. Their long arrears of 
pay, their deficiency of clothing, and their want of 
many comforts, were forgotten whilst constant action 
employed their minds and bodies; but when an inter- 
ruption of hostilities gave them leisure to brood over 
their calamities, these evils were presented to their 
imaginations in aggravated colors. A plan was seri- 
ously laid to deliver their gallant and victorious leader 
(Greene) into the hands of the British ; but the whole 
design was happily discovered and prevented from 
being carried into execution. To the honor of the 
Continental army, it may with justice be added, that, 
notwithstanding the pressure of their many sufferings, 
the whole number concerned in the plot did not exceed 
twelve."* 

Early in the year 1782, Gen. Marion, leaving his 
brigade near the Santee river, repaired himself to Jack- 
sonborough, there to take his seat in the Legislature, 
to which he had been elected a member from the par- 
ish of St. John's, Berkeley. His absence from the 
command, inspired the enemy with the hope that a 
corps which had heretofore been invulnerable might 
now be struck. A detachment of seven hundred men, 

* Appendix G. 



152 MABIOir AND HIS TIMES. 

cavalry and infantry, under Col. Thompson,* passed 
the Cooper river, near Charleston, late in the evening, 
and proceeded towards the Santee, Gen. Greene ob- 
tained a hint of the approach of this detachment against 
the camp of Marion, and sent word to Marion that he 
had better hasten to resume the command of his brig- 
ade. By a circuitous route and rapid riding, Marion 
hurried from Jacksonborough, but hearing that the en- 
emy were retiring, he halted to refresh. This delay 
proved fatal to his brigade. It was merely a feint of 
the British, who, observing the greatest secresy, and 
pushing their march with diligence, fell upon the camp 
and completely routed the brigade. Some were killed, 
some wounded, and the rest dispersed. Major Benson, 
an active officer, was among the killed. Thompson 
hastened back to Charleston with his detachment, and 
Marion, undismayed by this loss, energetically com- 
menced reassembling his brigade. 

For several months, the inhabitants of South Carolina 
had been in the peaceable enjoyment of legal govern- 
ment, except Charleston, and a small range of country 
on the little Pedee, where the British still held the pow- 
er. Major Gainey, (Marion's old enemy) and a band 
of Tories, resided here; and, insulated as they were, 
still resisted, f The absence of Marion from that part 
of the country emboldened them, and a rising took place. 

* Benjamin Thompson, born in New Hampshire, espoused 
the Royal cause, and after the war, was knighted. He subse- 
quently entered the Bavarian service, and was created Count 
Rumford. 

t A party of them, commanded by a Cap, Jones, surrounded 
and set fire to the house of Col. Kolb, a respectable American 
militia officer. He, after receiving assurance of being treated as a 
prisoner of war, surrendered. Nevertheless, he was instantly put 
to death in the presence of his wife and children. 



TREATY BETWEEN MARION AND GAINEY. 153 

Marion, arranged his plans for quelling this insurrec- 
tion, and moved rapidly towards the Pedee country, 
and sudden and unexpected was his arrival, and they 
were taken by surprise. The very name of Marion 
was a terror to them, and his presence doubly so. 
They showed no disposition for fighting him. Gainey 
sent a flag to Marion, announcing his readiness to re- 
new the treaty which had been entered into a year 
previously. Commissioners were appointed on both 
sides. These commissioners could not agree, and sepa- 
rated in anger; after which Marion and Gainey met in 
])erson, at a place called Birch's mill, on the 8th of June. 
By the treaty which was here signed by the respective 
commanders, more than five hundred men laid down 
their arms. The treaty was in the following words. 



Articles of Treaty between General Marion, in behalf 
of South Carolina, and Major Gainey, and the inhabi- 
tants under his command, which were included in the 
Treaty made the 17th day of June, 1781. 

" Article I. Major Gainey, and the men under his 
command, to lay down their arms as enemies to the 
State, and are not to resume them again until ordered 
so to do, in support of the interests of the United 
States, and of this State in particular. 

Article II. We will deliver up all the negroes, horses, 
cattle, and other property, that have been taken from 
this or any other state. 

Article III. We will demean ourselves as peaceable 
citizens of this stale, and submit ourselves to be 
governed by its laws, in the same manner as the rest 
of the citizens thereof. 



154 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

Article IV. We do engage to apprehend and de- 
liver up all persons within our district, who shall re- 
fuse to accede to these terms, and contumaciously 
resist in rebellion against this state. 

Article V. We will deliver up as soon as possible, 
every man who belongs to any regular line in the 
American service, and every inhabitant of North 
Carolina, of this, or any other state, who having 
joined us since the 17th of June 1781, when the 
former Treaty was made, or oblige them to go out 
of the district ; and whenever they return, to take 
and deliver them into safe custody in any jail within 
the state. 

Article VI. Every man is to sign an instrument of 
writing, professing his allegiance to the United States 
of America, and the state of South Carolina in par- 
ticular ; and to abjure his Britannic Majesty, his heirs, 
successors and adherents ; and promise to oppose all 
the enemies of the United States, and the State of 
South Carolina in particular. 

Article VII. All arms, amunition, and other warlike 
stores, the property of the British, to be delivered up. 

Article VIII. The above seven articles being agreed 
on, they shall have a full pardon for treasons com- 
mitted by them against the state, and enjoy their 
property, and be protected by the laws thereof. 

Article IX. Such men as do not choose to accede 
to these Articles, shall have leave to go within the 
British lines, and to march by the 25th inst, and be 
safely conducted, with such of their wives and chil- 
dren as may be able to travel, and carry or sell their 
property, except cattle, sheep and hogs, which they 
may dispose of, but not carry with them. Such 
women and children who cannot be removed, may 



BUTLEH, THE TORY, PROTECTED. 155 

remain until the 1st of September next. The officers 
to keep their pistols and side arms; all other arms 
to be disposed of, and not carried with them. Each 
field officer and captain to retain one horse, not 
exceeding twelve in the whole ; and no other per- 
son to take with him any more horses that may be fit 
for dragoon service, within the British lines. 
We have agreed to the before- mentioned nine articles, 
and have signed the same at Birch's mill, on Pedee, 
this 8th day of June, 1782."* 

Marion now set to work to bring all the inhabitants 
of this disaffected district to submission. The wise and 
forgiving policy pursued by him, was attended with the 
happiest consequences. Bitter enemies were converted 
into warm friends ; and many of these reclaimed citizens 
enrolled themselves in the corps of Marion, ready to 
fight by the side of their countrymen, whose lives they 
had sought by night and by day, from the fall of Charles- 
ton to the period of this Treaty. Marion granted writ- 
ten protections to all who came forward and subscribed 
to the treaty, and took into custody those, who, unwil- 
ling to retire within the British lines, remained without 
submitting. 

Among others who submitted was a certain Capt. 
Butler, who had been particularly oppressive upon the 
Whig families of the Pedee country. It is said of him 
that a more sanguinary being never existed. He had 
cruelly oppr<^ssed and butchered some persons, whose 
surviving friends were in the camp. Irritated to mad- 
ness at the thought that such a man was, by submission, 



* (Signed,) Francis Marion, Brigadier General, State of South 
Carolina. Micajah Gainey, Major of Loyalists, Pedee. 



166 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

to escape the just reward of his crimes, a hasty and in- 
temperate message was sent to Marion, purporting that 
such a villain ought not to receive protection. To this 
Marion calmly replied, — " Confidently believing that 
the pardon offered by the Governor would be granted, 
the man whom you would destroy has submitted. Both 
law and honor sanction my resolution. I will take 
him to my tent, and at the hazard of my life protect 
him." 

A second message now informed him that Butler 
should be dragged from his tent and be put to death. 
** I am an officer acting under orders," replied Marion, 
"and bound to defend him. I will do so though I 
perish." He then collected a guard around the tent, 
into which he had introduced Butler, and, at an early 
hour after night-fall, had him conveyed to a place of 
.safety.* 

Having effectually reduced the Pedee country to sub- 
mission, Marion, leaving a command of a hundred and, 
sixty men to maintain the ascendancy, hurried his re- 
turn to the Santee. Here the militia collected around 
him, and he remained the scourge of the British and 
Tories until the evacuation of Charleston. 

In the summer of 1782 the British announced their 
intention of evacuating Charleston. They offered to 
pay for rice and other provisions that should be deliv- 
ered to them before their departure, and at the same 
time threatened that if it was with-held, it should be 
taken by force, and without compensation. The object of 
Gen. Leslie (the British commander) was to provision 
his fleet and troops previous to his departure. The 
civil authority, incensed at the threat accompanying 

* Garden's Anecdotes. 



COL. JOHN LAtTRENS. 157 

this proposition, objected to any intercourse being open- 
ed between the town and country, and issued orders to 
Gen. Greene to that effect. 

In this state of matters, the British commander 
urged to it by the necessity of his case, sent out parties 
to sieze provisions near the different landings, and to 
bring them by water to Charleston. One of the most 
considerable parties on this service was sent to the 
Combakee river, where they arrived on the 25th of 
August. 

Brigadier General Gist, with about three hundred 
cavalry and infantry of the Continental army, was de- 
tached by Greene to oppose them. The British with 
a fleet of boats and schooners, had already rifled many 
of the neighboring plantations, and ravaged the pro- 
perty of numerous persons who, their small means thus 
taken from, were left comparatively destitute. 

Gen. Gist captured one of their schooners, and in a 
great degree frustrated their designs upon the Com- 
bakee. In this expedition Gist was joined by the young 
and gallant Col. John Laurens, who, hearing of it, rose 
from a sick bed, and resumed his command in the 
brigade, and, emulous of distinction, solicited the post 
of danger. The British, defeated by Gist from securing 
provisions on the south side of the river, had crossed 
it, and being apprized of the movements of Col. Lau- 
rens, they placed an ambush for him on the road which 
he must pass to take command of the post to which he 
had been appointed. 

Laurens passed the night of the 26th at the planta- 
tion of a lady, whose house was so nigh the post to 
which he was on his route, that it was easily practi- 
cable for him to spend a few hours in the company of 

14 



.158 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

some agreeable ladies at the house, and reach his 
post before the break of day. At a late hour the com- 
pany broke up. Laurens, and his small party, set out; 
The British made an onset from their ambush, and 
Laurens was killed at the first discharge. 

Never was soldier more beloved by the people of 
South Carolina I ban this gallant young officer. "Na« 
ture had adorned him," says Ramsey,*" with a profu- 
sion of her choicest gifts, to which a well conducted 
education had added its most useful as well as its most 
elegant improvements. Though his fortune and family 
entitled him to a pre-eminence, yet he was the warm 
friend of Republican equality. Generous and liberal, 
his heart expanded with genuine philanthropy. Zealous 
for the rights of humanity, he contended that personal 
liberty was the birth-right of every human being, how- 
ever diversified by country, color, or capacity. His 
insinuating address won the hearts of all his acquaint- 
ances ; his sincerity and virtue secured their lasting 
esteem. Acting from the most honorable principles — 
uniting the bravery and other talents of a great officer 
with the knowledge of a complete scholar, and the en- 
gaging manners of a well-bred gentleman, he was the 
idol of his country — the glory of his army — and an 
ornament of human nature. His abilities shone in the 
legislature and in the cabinet, as well as in the field, 
and were equal to the highest stations. His admiring 
country, sensible of his rising merit, stood prepared to 
confer on him her most distinguished honors. Cut 
down in the midst of these prospects, he left mankind 
to deplore the calamities of war, which in the twenty- 
seventh' year of his life deprived society of so invalua- 
ble a citizen." 

The evacuation of Charleston took place on the 14th 



EVACUATION OF CHARLESTON. 159 

of December 1782. On that, and the succeeding day, 
the British went on board their shipping, and the city- 
was entered by Gov. Matthews and the American army, 
without any confusion or disorder. Those who re- 
mained in Charleston felt themselves happy in being 
delivered from a garrison life. The exiled citizens ex- 
perienced sensations more easily conceived than ex- 
pressed, on returning to their houses and estates. The 
patriot exulted in the acknowledged independence of 
his country. The soldier rejoiced that th« toils of war 
were over, and the objects of it fully attained. The 
farmer redoubled his industry, from the pleasing con- 
viction that the produce of his labor would be secured 
to him without any danger from British bayonets. 
Cheerfulness and good humor took possession of minds 
that, during seven years, had been continually occupied 
with anxiety and distress. 

To this happy result, none had contributed more than 
Francis Marion. 

The citizens generally, instead of repining at their 
losses, |et themselves to repair them by diligence and 
economy. The continental officers who had served in 
the state, and whose bravery and exertions had ren- 
dered them conspicuous, were so well received by the 
ladies, that several of them had their gallantry rewarded 
by the hands of some of the finest women and greatest 
fortunes in South Carolina. The adherents to Royal 
Government were treated by those in power with mode- 
ration and lenity. Though the war was ended, some 
address was necessary to compose the minds of the 
people. Some of those who under every discourage- 
ment had steadily adhered to the cause of Independence, 
took to themselves the appellation of the virtuous few, 
and looked down with contempt on such of their fellow- 



160 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

citizens as had conformed their allegiance to existing 
circumstances. A disposition to proscribe and banish 
persons of the latter description showed itself under the 
auspices of self-constituted committees ; but the weight 
of government, and the influence of the better informed 
citizens, was successfully exerted to counteract it. 

After the evacuation of the city, the army v/as dis- 
banded. Such was the condition of the public treasury 
of the United States, that Congress was scarcely able 
to defray the expenses of the soldiers in returning to 
their homes. The laurels they had dearly earned ; the 
applause of their countrymen, which they had eminently 
obtained ; and the plaudits of their consciences, which 
they honestly possessed ; were almost the only rewards 
they carried home at the termination of a war, in which 
many had injured their constitutions, and all had dimin- 
ished their fortunes. Sympathizing with the embar- 
rassments of their countrymen, sensible of their inability 
to pay them their stipulated dues, and confiding in their 
justice to make them future retribution, they cheerfully 
relinquished the uniform of the military for the plain 
garb of the citizen. * 

After the war was over, Marion retired to his farm 
at St. John's, Berkely. This lay within a short dis- 
tance of the usual routes of the British army, and had 
been repeatedly ravaged; and furniture, horses, stock, 
clothing for his negroes, etc., were now wanting, and 
he was without means to purchase. His friends held 
out to him the prospect of half-pay, but this was never 
granted him. He cheerfully set to work, however, and 
with a manly industry retrieved his diminished fortunes 
as much as possible. 

The people of St. John's knew that his services were 
not less valuable in the halls of legislation than in the 



MARION IN THE SENATE. 161 

camp, and they elected him as their representative to 
the Senate of the State, where, by his counsels, he ju- 
diciously aided the civil operations of a government, to 
the establishment of which his sword had so largely 
contributed. In his nature there was^nothing vindic- 
tive, and his " poor deluded countrymen," as he termed 
the Tories, found in him an advocate, who far from 
visiting them with the severities with which others were 
ready to retaliate upon them, always gave his voice 
and vote on the side of mercy. " It is peace now," 
said he. " God has given us the victory. Let us show 
our gratitude to Heaven, which we shall not do by 
cruelty to man." 

Whilst he was a member of the Senate, the following 
resolution was passed on the 26th of February 1783. 

" Resolved, nem. con.. That the thanks of this 
House be given to Brigadier General Marion, in his 
place, as a member of this House, for his eminent and 
conspicuous services to his country. 

Resolved nem. con.. That a gold medal be given 
to Brigadier General Marion, as a mark of public ap- 
probation for his great, glorious, and meritorious 
conduct." 

The President of the Senate, in conveying to Marion 
the sense of the preceding resolutions, spoke of the in- 
expressible pleasure with which he was filled upon an 
occasion so interesting ; " but when I reflect upon the 
difficulty of doing justice to your distinguished merit, 
I feel my own insufficiency. Your conduct merits the 
applause of your countrymen; your courage, your 
vigilance, and your abilities, have exceeded their 
most sanguine expectations — and have answered all 
their hopes." 

To the speech of the President, (of which the quota 
14* 



162 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

tion is but a brief extract,) Marion replied : " Mr. 
President; The approbation which this house have 
given of my conduct, in the execution of my duty, 
gives me very pleasing and heartfelt satisfaction. The 
honor which they have conferred on me this day, by 
their thanks, will be remembered with gratitude. I 
shall always be ready to exert my abilities for the good 
of the state and the liberties of her inhabitants. I 
thank you, sir, for the polite manner in which you have 
conveyed to me the thanks of the Senate." 

In the year 1784, the Legislature of South Carolina 
passed a bill for the erecting and garrisoning of Fort 
Johnson, in Charleston harbor. Marion was put in 
command of this port, with a salary of $2000 per an- 
num ; the sum being voted him in remuneration for his 
losses during the war. But in a year or two, citizens 
grumbled their dissatisfaction, and it was finally re- 
duced to $500. 

At this time, a lady of wealth, who " loved him for 
the dangers he had passed," disclosed the state of her 
affections to some persons, who were the mutual friends 
of either party, and Marion being made aware of the 
impression he had made upon the heart of this lady, 
solicited her hand, and was accepted. The name of 
this lady was Miss Mary Videau, whose ancestors, like 
his own, were among the Huguenots that sought liberty 
of conscience on the shores of America, being denied 
that inestimable privilege in the land of their birth. 

Marion was past fifty years of age, and the lady was 
not young. They lived happily together ; and Marion, 
" beloved by his friends, and respected by his enemies, 
exhibited a luminous example of the beneficial effects 
to be produced by an individual, who, with only small 



DEATH OP MARION. 163 

means at his command, possesses a virtuous heart, a 
strong head, and a mind devoted to the comman good." 
The death of Marion took place at his residence in 
St. John's parish, in the month of February 1795. 
On his tomb is an inscription, which reads as follows. 
" Sacred to the memory of Brigadier General Francis 
Marion, who departed this life on the 27th of February 
1795, in the sixty-third year of his age, deeply regret- 
ted by all his fellow citizens. History will record his 
worth, and rising generations embalm his memory, as 
one of the most distinguished patriots and heroes of the 
American Revolution ; which elevated his native coun- 
try to Honor and Independence, and secured to her the 
blessings of liberty and peace. This tribute of venera- 
tion and gratitude is erected in commemoration of the 
noble and disinterested virtues of the citizen, and the 
gallant exploits of the soldier, who lived without fear, 
and died without reproach." 



Francis Marion, in the trying times 'of the Revolu- 
tion, occupied one of the most difficult situations in 
which a man can be placed. The scene of his exer- 
tions was (as we have seen) in a country where the 
inhabitants were by no means unanimous in their oppo- 
sition to the British , government ; but, surrounded as he 
was by loyalists, and at the head of a soldiery unac- 
customed to subordination, he encountered and sur- 
mounted difficulties in situations that probability rendered 
hopeless, and *' with a steady hand he steered the vessel 
amid the terrors of the storm, and through fearful 
breakers safe into port." 

To General Marion, as a military chieftain, our 



164 MARION AND HIS TIMES. 

country is deeply indebted, and, though for many years 
he did not receive the approbation his valor had earned, 
public conviction has of late become sensible of the 
obligations that she owes him ; and it is now conceded, 
that we are indebted as much to his untiring persever- 
ance in subduing the Tories, as to the prowess of Gen. 
Greene against the British Armies, in bringing the 
Southern war to a successful termination. But, glori- 
ous as is his name as a soldier, his greatest glory lies 
in the moral excellence of his character, his spotless 
integrity, disinterested patriotisn), and invincible for- 
titude. He was patient under /defeat, moderate in vic- 
tory. And, if in any matter we see the especial hand 
of Providence, surely it is manifest in the remarkable 
preservation of him throughout the numerous and im- 
minent dangers he passed during the Revolution. 

The time-enduring fame of the patriot, is too often 
lost amid the glitter of military renown^ and the splen- 
dor of actions miscalled great. " Mankind," says Dr. 
Channing, " when they hear of battles, the picture 
which rises to their view, is not what it should be — a 
picture of extreme wretchedness, of the wounded, the 
mangled, the slain ! These horrors are hidden under 
the splendor of those mighty energies which break forth 
amid the perils of the conflict, and which human nature 
contemplates with an intense and heart-thrilling delight. 
Attention hurries from the heaps of the slaughtered to 
the victorious chief, whose single mind pervades and 
animates a host, and directs with stern composure the 
storm of battle, and the ruin which he spreads is for- 
gotten in admiration of his power. Thus, war is th6 
surest and speediest road to renown ; and war will 
never cease while the field of glory, and the most lux- 
uriant laurels, grow from a root nourished with blood." 



CHARACTER OF MARION. 165 

Alexander — Cesar — Napoleon ! In the halo of ad- 
miration with which w^e surround ^he names of these 
conquerors, do we not thoughtlessly lose sight of the 
horror and misery which strews the path to their great- 
ness ? The wars waged by them, what were they but 
heaps of slaughter to create for themselves a mon- 
ument of military fame ? Ambition — Self — was the 
object of their energies ! Turning from these, how in- 
finitely more of intrinsic worth and real greatness, 
purity of purpose, and love of country, are we called 
upon to admire in the character of a Washington and 
a Marion ! " The characters of these, judged by pos- 
terity, have risen in the* estimation of men, whilst in 
the career of Cromwell, Marlborough, Charles XII, 
and other warriors, it is prominently glaring how pat- 
riotism dwindled as a motive until utterly lost amidst 
baser sentiments.'* 



APPENDIX, 



A.— Page. 45. 

After this, Mr. Bradley, was frequently carted to the 
gallows to witness the execution of his countrymen as 
rebels, and told to prepare for a similar fate next time. 
On such occasions, and when interrogated at courts- 
martial, he made no other reply than that " I am 
ready and willing to die in the cause of my country ; 
but remember, if 1 am hanged, I have many friends in 
General Marion's brigade, and my death will occasion 
a severe retaliation." Either awed by his virtues, or 
apprehensive of consequences, his captors did not ex- 
ecute their threats. His life was spared, but he was 
kept in irons as long as the British had possession of the 
upper country. He bore the marks of these rugged 
instruments of confinement till the day of his death, 
and would occasionally show them to his young friends, 
with a request " that if the good of their country re- 
quired the sacrifice, they would suffer imprisonment 
and death in its cause." — Vide Ramsay, vol. 2. p. 403. 

B.— Page. 70. 

The rapid movements of Marion, and effectual ser- 
vice he rendered the patriotic cause, at this early period 
of his military career, are thus mentioned in hi» own 
official correspondence with Gen. Gates. On the 29th 
Aug. 1780, he writes from Pedee — " As the militia 

167 



168 APPENDIX. 

is not under my command, some days I have not more 
than a dozen with me. On Sep. 4th, marched with 
53 men to attack a body of 200 Tories, who intended 
to surprise me : — surprised a party of 45, killed and 
wounded all but fifteen, who escaped : — met and at- 
tacked the main body, and put them to flight, though 
they had 200 men." — " Marched to Black Mingo, Sept. 
24th, where was a guard of sixty of the [royalist] 
militia; — attacked them on the 28th; — killed 3, wounded 
and took 13 prisoners. I had 1 captain and 1 private 
killed ; 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, and 6 privates wounded ; 
several of the enemy have since been found dead in a 
swamp to which they took. So many of my men were 
desirous of seeing their wives and families which have 
been burnt out, that I found it necessary to retreat next 
morning. The prisoners taken are men of fortune and 
family, which I liope will check the militia from taking 
arms against us." — Vide Gordon, vol. 3. p. 112. 

C.—Page. 77. 

Marion writes to Gates, Oct. 18th, 1780—" I have 
never yet had more than 70 men to act with me, and 
sometimes they leave me to 20 or 30." — " Nov. 4th. 
I crossed Pedee the 24th Oct ; the next night came up 
with 200 men under Col. Tynes, whom I surprised; 
killed 6, wounded 14, and took prisoners 23, and got 
80 horses and saddles, and as many stand of arms. 
The Colonel made his escape ; but, sending a party to 
the High Hills of Santee, he fell into our hands, with 
several other prisoners, and some who have been very 
active against us and great plunderers. The militia 
are now turning out better than they have done. At 
present I have upwards of 200 men, and expect that 



APPENDIX. Itf9 

in three or four days it will be double.** — " Black-river, 
Nov. 9th, Col Tarleton [with his corps] has burnt all 
the houses, and destroyed all the corn, from Camden 
down to Nelson's ferry ; has behaved to the poor wo- 
men with great barbarity ; beat Mrs. Richardson, the 
relict of Gen. Richardson, to make her tell where I 
was, and has not left her a change of raiment. He 
not only destroyed all the corn, but burnt a number of 
cattle in the houses he fired. It is distressing to see 
the women and children sitting in the open air round a 
fire without a blanket, and women of family and that 
had ample fortunes ; for he spares neither Whig nor 
Tory. Most of the inhabitants to the southward are 
ready and eager to take up arms against their task- 
masters.** — " Nov. 21st, Tarleton retreated to Camden, 
after destroying most of the houses and provisions on 
the High Hills of Santee. I am obliged to act with so 
few, as not to have it in my power to do any thing 
effectual for want of men and ammunition.'* — Gordon, 
vol. 3. p. 113. 

D.— Page. 93. 

The distinction of Whig and Tory took its rise 
from the very beginning of the Revolutionary struggle. 
Both parties in the interior country were then embodied, 
and were obliged to impress provisions for their res- 
pective support. The advocates for Congress prevail- 
ing, they paid for articles consumed in their camps ; 
but as no funds were provided for discharging the ex- 
penses incurred by the royalists, all that was consumed 
by them was considered as robbery. 

This laid the foundation of a practical war between 
Whigs and Tories, which was productive of great dis- 
16 



170 APPENDIX. 

tress, and deluged the country with blood. After the 
capitulation of Charleston, political hatred raged with 
intense fury. In numerous instances the ties of nature 
were dissolved. Countrymen, neighbors, friends, and 
brothers took different sides. In every little precinct, 
more especially in the interior parts of the state, 
"king's-men" and "congress-men" were names ol 
distinction. Bad passions on both sides were kept in 
continual agitation, and wrought up to a degree of 
fury, which rendered individuals regardless not only 
of the laws of war, but of the principles of humanity. 
While the British had the ascendency, their partizans 
gave full scope to their interested and malicious feel- 
ings. Persons of the worst character emerged from 
their hiding-places in the swamps, called themselves 
" king's-men," and appropriated to their own usec^ 
whatever came in their way. Every act of cruelty ' 
and injustice was lawful, provided the actor called 
himself a friend to the king, and the sufferer was 
denominated a rebel. 

Of those who were well-disposed to the patriotic side 
of the contest, few weret o be found who had not their 
houses and plantations repeatedly rifled. Under the 
sanction of subduing rebellion, private revenge was in 
numberless instances gratified by cold-blooded murder. 
In fact, rapine, outrage and murder, became so fre- 
quent as to interrupt the free intercourse between one 
place and another, and people were obliged either en- 
tirely to abandon their home, or to sleep in woods and 
swamps. Ramsay, vol. 2. p. 446. 



APPENDIX. 171 

E.— Page 94. 



In consequence of the civil wars between Whigs and 
Tories, and other calamities, resulting from the opera- 
lions of the British and American armies. South Caro- 
lina exhibited scenes of distress which were shocking to 
humanity. The single district of Ninety-Six contained 
within its limits fourteen hundred widows and orphans: 
made so by the war. The American government was 
suspended, and the British conquerors were careless of 
the civil rights of the inhabitants. They conducted as 
though interior order and police were scarcely objects 
if attention. The will of the strongest was the law. 
uch was the general complexion of those who called 
hemselves Royalists, that nothing could be expected 
if them but outrages against the peace and order of 
society. They were an ignorant, unprincipled banditti, 
to whom idleness, licentiousness, and deeds of violence, 
were familiar; and others whose atrocities had exiled 
them from society, attached themselves to parties of the 
British ; and encouraged by their example, and insti- 
2;ated by the love of plunder, they committed the most 
extensive depredations. Under the cloak of attachment 
;o the old government, they covered the basest and most 
selfish purposes. The necessity which their indiscrimi- 
nate plundering imposed on all good men of defending 
themselves, did infinitely more damage to the Royal 
3ause than was compensated by all the advantages re 
suiting from their friendship. — Vide Rasisay, vol. 2, 
p. 452. 



172 APPENDIX. 

F.~Pagk 111. 

Lord Cornwallis, after the action with Greene near 
Guilford Court House, crossing Deep-river, marched for 
Wilmington, and afterwards concluded upon marching 
to Virginia. He arrived at Petersburg on the 20th of 
May 1781. The young Marquis de La Fayette com- 
manded the American army, and so superior to the 
American force did Cornwallis feel himself, that he ex- 
ulted in the prospect of success, and despising the youth 
of La Fayette, he unguardedly wrote to Great Britain 
" the boy cannot escape Tne." La Fayette's little army 
consisted of 1000 continentals, 2000 militia, and 60 
dragoons. Cornwallis proceeded from Petersburg to 
James river, which he crossed in order to dislodge La 
Fayette from Richmond : it was evacuated on the 27th. 
His lordship then marched through Hanover county, 
and crossed the South Anna river ; La Fayette con- 
stantly following his motions, but at a guarded distance 
in every part of his progress. His lordship at one time 
planned the surprisal of the Marquis ; but was diverted 
from his intention by a spy, whom the latter had sent 
into the British camp. The following account of the 
manner in which this spy got into the camp and out 
again is not without interest. 

Very desirous of obtaining full intelligence concern- 
ing the movements of his enemy. La Fayette had con- 
cluded upon prevailing, if possible, upon one Charles 
(generally called Charley) Morgan, a Jersey soldier, of 
whom he entertained a favorable opinion, to turn de- 
serter, and go over to the British army, in order to his 
executing the business of a spy the more effectually. 
Charley was sent for, and agreed to undertake the haz- 
ardous employ ; but insisted that in case he should be 



APPENDIX. 178 

discovered and hanged, La Fayette, to secure his repu- 
tation, should have it inserted in the Jersey paper that 
he was sent upon the service by his Commander. This 
was promised him. Charley then deserted, and, when 
he had reached the royal army, was carried before 
Corn wallis, who inquired into the reason of his deserting. 

" I have been, my lord," said Charley, " with the 
American army from the beginning, and while under 
Gen. Washington, was satisfied ; but being put under a 
Frenchman, I do not like it, and have left the service." 
iii Cornwallis commended and rewarded his conduct. 
Charley was very diligent in the discharge of his mili- 
tary duty, and was not in the least suspected ; but at 
the same time carefully observed all that passed. One 
day, while on duty with his comrades, Cornwallis, in 
close conversation with some of his officers, called 
Charley to him and said, 

" How long time will it take the Marquis de La Fay- 
ette to cross James river?" 

Charley paused for a moment, and answered, "Three 
hours, my lord." 

" Three hours ! why it will take three days." 

" No, my lord," said Charley, " the Marquis has so 
many boats, and each boat will carry so many men. 
If your lordship will be at the trouble of calculating, you 
will find he can cross in three hours." 

Cornwallis turned to the officers, and in the hearing 
of Charley remarked, " The scheme will not do." 

Charley concluded that this was the time for his re- 
turning to the American camp. He, as soon as possi- 
ble, plied his comrades with grog till they were well 
warmed, and then opened his masked battery. He 
complained of the wants that prevailed in the British 
camp, commended the supplies with which the Ameri- 
15* 



174 APPENDIX. 

cans abounded, expressed his inclination to return, and 
then asked, " What say you, will you go with me /" 
They agreed. It was left to him to manage with the 
sentinels. To the first he offered, in a very friendly 
manner, the taking of a draught of rum from his can- 
teen. While the fellow was drinking, Charley secured 
his arms, and then proposed his deserting with them, 
to which he consented through necessity. The second 
was served in like manner, and Charley by his manage- 
ment carried off* seven deserters with him. When he 
had reached the American army, and was brought into 
the presence of La Fayette, the Marquis, upon seeing 
him, cried out " Ha ! Charley, are you got back ?" 

" Yes, and please your Excellency, and have brought 
seven more with me," was Charley's respectful answer. 

When Charley had related the reason of his return- 
ing, and the observations he had made, the Marquis 
offered him money. But Charley declined it, and pnly 
desired to have his gun again. The Marquis proposed 
to promote him to the rank of a corporal or sergeant. 

" I will not have any promotion, your Excellency," 
Charley replied. " I have abilities for a common sol- 
dier, and have a good character. Should I be promoted, 
my abilities may not answer, and I might lose my 
character." He, however, nobly requested for his feU 
low-soldiers, who were not so well supplied with shoes, 
stockings and clothing as himself, that the Marquis 
would promise to do what he could to relieve their dis- 
ti-ess. — Vide Gordon, vol. 3, p. 207. 

G.— Page 151. 

This treason had for its object the purpose of seizing 
Gen. Greene and delivering him over to the British. 
Four sergeants of the Pennsylvania line, headed by one 



APPENDIX. 175 

named Gornell, and a few others, were concerned in 
this conspiracy. Gornell was a soldier heretofore much 
esteemed, and possessed talents adapted to enterprize. 
It was discovered, the night before they were to put 
their meditated treachery into execution, that Gornell, 
and his associates, held continual correspondence with 
the enemy. Greene, acting with his customary de- 
cision, ordered the arrest and trial of Gornell. This 
was immediately done ; and the prisoner being by the 
court-martial condemned to die, the sentence of the 
court was carried into effect on the 22d of April 1782. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 



William Moultrie, was a native of Great Britain, 
but emigrated to South Carolina at an early age. He 
served with distinction in the Cherokee war in 1760, 
and in its last campaign commanded a company. 
When difficulties occurred between the Mother Country 
and her Colonies in North America, he zealously es- 
poused the cause of the latter, and, at the commence- 
ment of the Revolution, we find him a member of the 
Provincial Congress, and a colonel of the second South 
Carolina regiment. For his brave defence of Sullivan's- 
Island, he received the thanks of Congress, and the 
fort was afterwards called by his name. In 1779 he 
gained a victory over the British at Beaufort. He 
afterwards received the commission of major-general, 
and was second in command to Gen. Lincoln at the 
siege of Charleston. After the close of the war he 
was repeatedly elected governor of South Carolina. 
He published " Memoirs of the Revolution in the Caro- 
linas and Georgia," and died at Charleston in 1805. 



Benjamin Lincoln, was born at Hingham, Mas- 
sachusetts, in 1733, and was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits until he was forty years old. At the com- 
mencement of the Revolution, he was elected a mem- 
ber of the Provincial Congress ; received the commission 
of major-general in 1776, and vigorously employed 

176 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 177 

himself in improving the discipline of the militia. He 
was second in command in the army which compelled 
the. surrender of Burgoyne, at Saratoga, in October 
1777. On ^he day after the battle of Stillwater, he 
received a dangerous wound in one of his legs, and 
was confined for several months by its effects. He 
was subsequently appointed to the command of the 
Southern department, and while in this post attempted 
the defence of Charleston, but capitulated in May 1780. 
He was a prisoner until the November following, when 
he was exchanged, and in the year following he joined 
the army on the North River, N. Y. Gen. Washington 
placed great confidence in his military talents, and at 
the siege of Yorktown he commanded a central division, 
sharing largely in the dangers and honors of the day. 
In 1781, he was appointed secretary of the war depart- 
ment, and on several occasions commissioner to treat 
with the Indians. Peace being concluded, he returned 
to Massachusetts, and in 1786 was appointed to com- 
mand the troops employed in the suppression of the 
insurgents in that state. The insurgents, commanded 
by Daniel Shays, were dispersed, and a few killed. 
In 1788, he was chosen lieutenant-governor of Mas- 
sachusetts, and in 1789 he was a member of the con- 
vention which ratified the constitution of the United 
States. He passed his days with honor, and closed 
his useful career in 1810. He was the author of sev- 
eral interesting papers ; was a member of the Academy 
of Arts and Sciences, etc. 



John Rutledoe, one of the earliest patriots of tlie 
Revolution, in which he took an active part, and ren- 



178 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

dered his countrymen, the most efFecient services. He 
was a member of Congress, in 1774; commander-in- 
chief of the province of South Carolina, in 1776 ; gov- 
ernor of it under the new constitution, in 1779 ; judge 
of the court of chancery in 1784 ; judge of the Su- 
preme Court of the United States, in 1789; chief jus- 
tice of South Carolina, in 1791 ; and chief justice of 
the United States, in 1796. His whole life, public and 
private, was that of a pure patriot and upright citizen. 
His death occurred in 1800. 



Augustus Dk Kalb, a German nobleman, entered 
the French service, and afterwards came to America. 
He received the rank of major-general in the army under 
Washington, and gained a high reputation as an officer. 
He fell, fighting desperately at the head of his soldiers, 
at the battle near Camden, in August 1780. As art 
officer he was brave and skillful, and universally be- 
loved by those under his command. 



Horatio Gates, was an Englishman by birth, 
(born in 1728,) and, having very early in life entered 
the British army, rose by his merits to the rank of 
major. He was under the command of Braddock in 
that unfortunate officer's expedition against Fort Du- 
quesne, and received in the famous battle with the In- 
dians a severe wound, which debarred him from active 
service for some time. He settled in Virginia, where 
he resided till the commencement of the Revolution. 
Congress appointed him, in 1775, adjutaut-general, 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 179 

with the rank of brigadier, and in 1776, he received 
the command of the army in Canada. In October 
1777, he captured the army under Burgoyne. In 1780, 
he was appointed to the chief command of the Southern 
department, but proved unsuccessful, and was super- 
seded by Gen. Greene. He was restored to his com- 
mand in 1782. After the war, he resided on his farm 
in Virginia for several years, but removed in 1790 to 
New York, where he lived much esteemed and res- 
pected. He died in 1806. 



Count Pulaski, was a native of Poland, a celebrated 
soldier ; and he made brave, though successful, efforts 
to restore his country to independence. During the 
Revolution he came to America, and received the rank 
of brigadier-general in the American army. At the 
attack on Savannah in 1779, he was so seriously 
wounded that he survived but a short lime. Congress 
voted to erect a monument to his memory. 



Charles Henrt, Count D'EIstaign, a French ad- 
miral, born in Auvergne. He was under Lally in the 
East Indies, and escaped from an English prison by 
breaking his parole. He was commander of the French 
squadrons sent to assist the Americans, in their Revo- 
lutionary struggle, and was gullotined during the Reign 
of Terror, arising out of the French Revolution. He 
suffered in 1783. 



180 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Charles Cornwallis, son of the first Earl of 
Cornwallis, was born in 1738 ; educated at Westmin- 
ster, and St. John's College, Cambridge, and then en- 
tered the British army. In 1761 he succeeded to the 
title. During the Revolution, he commanded in the 
Southern states, and signalized himself at the siege of 
Charleston ; but was surrounded at Yorktown and 
compelled to capitulate. From 1786 to 1792, he was 
governor-general of, and commander-in-chief in, the 
British Indies. From 1798 to 1801, he was lord-lieu- 
tenant of Ireland. The treaty of Amiens, in 1802, was 
signed by him. In 1804 he was again made governor- 
general of India, and died in the fol'owing year, at 
Ghazepore, in the province of Benares. Sound prac- 
tical sense, not brilliant talent, was the characteristic of 
Cornwallis. 



Sir Henry Clinton, born in England, entered the 
British army, served in the Hanoverian war ; he was 
sent to America in 1775, with the rank of major-gen- 
eral. He distinguished himself at the battle of Bunker 
Hill, evacuated Philadelphia in 1778, and took Charles- 
ton in 1780 ; for this last service he was thanked by the 
House of Commons. He returned to England 1782, 
and soon after published an account of the " Campaign 
in 1781 — 83," which Cornwallis answered,, and to 
which Sir Henry replied. He was governor of Gibral- 
ter in 1795, and died soon after. 



BIOGSAPHICAL NOTICES. 181 

Nathaniel Greene, was born at Warwick, Rhode 
Island, in 1741, and though he enjoyed but limited op- 
portunities of education, he early displayed a love of 
study, and industriously applied himself to the acquisi- 
tion of such knowledge as was within his reach. He 
was elected to the state legislature in 1770. In 1774 
he enrolled himself as a private in a company called 
the Kentish guards, and from this situation he was ele- 
vated to the command of three regiments, with the title 
of major-general. In 1776, he accepted from Congress 
a commission of brigadier-general, and distinguished 
himself by his skill and bravery at the battles of Trenton 
and Princeton. In 1778 he was appointed quarter 
master general, and rendered great service in the office 
by his talents for business. He presided at the court- 
martial which tried Major Andre, and was appointed to 
succeed the traitorous Arnold in command at West 
Point. But he held this post only a brief time, being 
appointed in that year (1780) to the command of the 
Southern army. He assumed the command in Decem- 
ber, and in this situation displayed a prudence, intrepi- 
dity and firmness that elevated him to the first rank 
among the officers of the American Revolution. In 
September 1781, he commanded at the famous victory 
of Eutaw Springs, for which he received from Congress 
a British standard and a gold medal, as a testimony of 
their value of his conduct and services. On the termi- 
nation of hostilities, he returned to Rhode Island, and 
in 1785 removed with his family to Georgia, where he 
died suddenly in June (the 19th) of the following year. 
South Carolina had presented him with an estate worth 
£10.000; Georgia, with an estate a few miles from 
Savannah, worth £5.000 ; and North Carolina, with 
25.000 acres of land in the state of Tennessee. 
16 



162 BI06UAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Henry Lee, a Virginian, born in 1756, graduated 
at Princeton college, and in 1776 was captain of one 
of the six companies of cavalry raised by his native 
state. These were afterwards embodied into one regi- 
ment, and added, in 1777, to the main body of the pro- 
vincials. At the battle of Germantown, Lee was se- 
lected with his company to attend Washington as his 
body-guard. In 1780, with the rank of lieutenant- 
colonel, he was sent with his legion to the army of the 
south, and continued with it until the close of the war. 
In 1786 he was a delegate to Congress from the state 
of Virginia, and remained in that body until the adoption 
of the present constitution. In 1792 he was honored 
with the governor's chair of his native state, and in 
1799 was again a member of Congress, and while 
there he was selected to pronounce a funeral oration 
upon the death of Washington. In the latter years of 
his life he became embarrassed in his circumstances. 
He was severely wounded during the riot in Baltimore, 
1814, and his health declined. His death took place 
in 1818. It was while confined for debt within the 
limits of Spottsylvania county, that he prepared for 
publication his " Memoirs of the Southern War," pub- 
lished in 1812 ; and from which excellent work a great 
amount of information has been obtained for the present 
compilation. 



Thomas Sumpter, a very distinguished soldier of 
the war in the southern states, was born in 1735. 
Governor Rutledge appointed him brigadier-general in 
1780, and his military career was bold and brilliant. 
He took his seat in the United States senate, in 1811, 
as a senator from the state of South Carolina. He 
died at the age of 97 in 1832. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 183 

Otho Holland Williams, a native of Virginia, 
born in 1748. A company of riflemen was raised in 
Frederick county at the beginning of the Revolution, 
to which he was given the command, and he at once 
repaired to the American camp near Boston. At the 
capture of Fort Washington in New York, Williams 
was taken prisoner. After being exchanged, he com- 
manded the 6th Maryland regiment, and was detached 
to South Carolina, and, with the rank of adjutant-gen- 
eral, he continued to participate with zeal and activity 
in the dangers of the campaign. He was subsequently 
promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. He died 
in 1794. 



William Richardson Davie, was born in Eng- 
land, brought to America in his childhood, and educated 
at Princeton college, where he graduated in 1776. He 
studied law for a short time, but such was his interest 
in the Revolution, he entered the army as a lieutenant 
in Count Pulaski's legion, and distinguished himself by 
his efficiency and courage. After the war, he devoted 
himself to the practice of law; and in 1787, he was 
chosen a delegate from South Carolina to represent that 
State in the Convention which framed the Constitution 
of the United States. Unavoidable absence prevented 
him from affixing his name to that instrument. He 
was afterwards governor of North Carolina, etc. His 
death occurred in 1820. His person was dignified ; as 
a soldier no man was ever more courageous ; his legal 
abilities were more than ordinary. 



184 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

John Eager FIoward, a native of Baltimore city, 
born in 1752. He was one of the most distinguished 
officers of the American Revolution, and at the battle 
of Cowpens, he had in his hands the swords of seven 
British officers, who had surrendered to him personally. 
After the war he resided on his estate, near Baltimore, 
and the citizens of Maryland subsequently elected him 
to the dignity of governor of their state, and ho was 
also a member of the United States' Senate. He died 
at the age of seventy-five in 1827. *' As a patriot and 
a soldier," said Gen. Greene, " Colonel Howard de- 
served a statue of gold no less than Roman and Grecian 
heroes." 



William Washington, born in Virginia, served 
in the Revolutionary war from the commencement of 
the contest, received a wound at the battle of Trenton, 
distinguished himself in the Southern campaigns, and 
commanded the cavalry at the battle of Cowpens. For 
his bravery and military skill at this battle, Congress 
presented him with a sword. It was his misfortune to 
be wounded and taken prisoner at Eutaw Springs, 
which deprived his country of his services for the re- 
mainder of the war. He remained a prisoner until the 
conclusion of the war, after which he married, and 
settled in South CaroHna ; in the legislature of which 
state he exhibited the talents and virtues of an honest 
statesman. His death took place in 1810. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 185 

Francis Hastings, Lord Rawdon, son of the Earl 
ofMoira, in Ireland, and born in 1754, educated at Ox- 
ford, travelled on the continent of Europe, and entered 
the British army as an ensign. He was among the 
troops sent to America at the commencement of the 
Revolution, and took part in the engagement at 
Bunker's Hill. He subsequently commanded in South 
Carolina, where he displayed considerable valor, and 
was perhaps the most efficient of the British officers in 
the Southern war. Illness obliged him to embark for 
Europe ; on the passage the ship in which he sailed 
was captured by the French, and taken into Brest ; he 
was soon released, and reached England, and was re- 
warded for his exertions in A merica by being created 
a peer. In parliament he distinguished himself, and in 
1793, upon the death of his father, he succeeded to the 
title of Earl Moira. In 1794, with the rank of major- 
general, he commanded, under the duke of York, against 
the French armies in Holland. The Whigs wished to 
place him at the head of the ministry in 1707, but 
were unsuccessful. In 1812, having for several years 
previous been employed in political negotiations, he re- 
ceived the appointment of governor-general of British 
India, in which office he evidenced great abilities. He 
resigned in 1822, and returned to England. After 
which he was appointed governor of the island of Malta. 
He died in Nov. 1825. 



John Laurens, son of Henry Laurens, the Ameri- 
can patriot and statesman, was liberally educated in 
England, and, having returned to his native country, 
joined the American army in 1777. -. He displayed pro- 
16* 



186 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

digies of valor at Brandy wine, German town, Monmouth, 
Savannah and Charleston, and vi'as killed at the very 
close of the war in a slight skirmish. In 1780, he was 
sent as a special minister to France to negotiate a loan, 
and, after being subjected to a vexatious delay, he de- 
termined to present a memorial to the king in person 
at the levee. This purpose he carried into effect: the 
memorial was graciously received by Louis XVI., and 
the object of negotiation satisfactorily arranged. He 
was but twenty-seven years old at the time of his death 
in 1782. 



Georoe Washington, the illustrious founder of 
American independence, was born in 1732, in the 
county of Fairfax, in Virginia, where his father was 
possessed of great landed property. He was educated 
under the care of a private tutor, and paid much atten- 
tion to the study of mathematics and engineering. He 
was first employed officially by General Dinwiddie, 
in 1753, in remonstrating to the French commander 
on the Ohio, for the infraction of the treaty between 
the two nations. He subsequendy negotiated a treaty 
of amity with the Indians on the back settlements, and 
for his honorable services received the thanks of the 
British Government. In the unfortunate expedition 
of General Braddock he served as aid-de-camp, and on 
the fall of that brave but rash commander, he conducted 
the retreat to the corps under Colonel Dunbar in a 
manner that displayed great military talent. He re- 
tired from the service with the rank of colonel, but 
while engaged in agriculture at his favorite seat of 
Mount Vernon, he was elected senator in the national 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 187 

council for Frederic county, and afterwards for Fair- 
fax. At the commencement of the revolutionary war, 
he was selected as the most proper person to take the 
chief command of the provincial troops. From the 
moment of taking upon himself this important office, 
in June, 1775, he employed the great powers of his 
mind to his favorite object, and by his prudence, his 
valor, and presence of mind he deserved and obtained 
the confidence and gratitude of his country, and finally 
triumphed over all opposition. The record of his 
services is the history of the whole war. He joined 
the army at Cambridge in July, 1775. On the ev^acua- 
tion of Boston in March, 1776, he proceeded to l^ew 
York. The battle of Long Island was fought on the 
27th of August, and the battle of White Plains on the 
28th of October. On the 25th of December he crossed 
the Delaware, and soon gained the victories at Trenton 
and Princeton. The battle of Brandy wine was fought 
on September 11th, 1777; of Germantown, October 
4th; of Monmouth, February 28th, 1778. In 1779 
and 1780 he continued in the vicinity of New York, 
and closed the important military operations of the war 
by the capture of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, in 1781. 
When the independence of his country was established 
by the treaty of peace, Washington resigned his high 
office to the congress, and, followed by the applause, 
and the grateful admiration of his fellow-citizens, re- 
tired into private life. His high character and services 
naturally entitled him to the highest gifts his country 
could bestow, and on the organization of the govern- 
ment he was called upon to be the first president of the 
states which he had preserved and established. It was 
a period of great difficulty and danger. The unsub- 
dued spirit of liberty had been roused and kindled by 



188 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

the revolution of France, and many Americans were 
eager that the freedom and equality which they them- 
selves enjoyed should be extended to the subjects of 
the French monarch. Washington anticipated the 
plans of the factious, and by prudence and firmness 
subdued insurrection, and silenced discontent, till the 
parties which the intrigues of Genet the French envoy 
had roused to rebellion, were convinced of the wildness 
of their measures and of the wisdom of their governor. 
The president completed, in 1796, the business of his 
office by signing a commercial treaty with Great 
Britain, and then voluntarily resigned his power at a 
moment when all hands and all hearts were united, again 
to confer upon him the sovereignly of the country. 
Restored to the peaceful retirement of Mount Vernon, 
he devoted himself to the pursuits of agriculture; and 
though he accepted the command of the army in 1798, 
it was merely to unite the affections of his fellow 
citizens to the general good, and was one more sacrifice 
to his high sense of duty. He died after a short ill- 
ness on the 14th of December, 1799. He was buried 
with the honors due to the noble founder of a happy 
and prosperous republic. History furnishes no parallel 
to the character of Washington. He stands on an un- 
approached eminence ; distinguishad almost beyond 
humanity for self-command, intrepidity, soundness of 
judgment, rectitude of purpose, and deep ever active 
piety. 



John Cadwalader, was born in Philadelphia, and 
rose to the rank of brigadier-general in the American 
army during the revolutionary war. He was a man 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 189 

of inflexible courage, and possessed in a high degree 
the esteem and confidence of Washington. In 1778, 
he was appointed by Congress general of cavalry, an 
appointment which he declined on the score of being 
more useful in the situation he then occupied. After 
the war he was a member of the assembly of Mary- 
land, and died in 1786, in the 44th year of his age. 



Charles Lee, a major-general in the array of the 
American revolution, was born in North Wales, and 
became an officer when very young. He served at 
an early age in America, and afterwards distinguished 
himself under General Burgoyne, in Portugal. He 
subsequently entered the Polish service, wandered all 
over Europe, killed an Italian officer in a duel, and in 
1773 sailed for New York. Espousing the cause of 
the colonies, he received a commission from Congress 
in 1775, with the rank of major-general. In 1776 he 
was invested with the command at New York, and 
afterwards with the chief command in the southern 
department. In December, 1776, he was made 
prisoner by the English, as he lay carelessly guarded 
at a considerable distance from the main body of the 
army in New Jersey. He was kept prisoner till the 
surrender of Burgoyne, in 1777, and treated in a man- 
ner unworthy of a generous enemy. In 1778, he was 
arraigned before a court-martial, in consequence of his 
misconduct at the battle of Monmouth, and was sus- 
pended from any commission in the army of the 
United States for one year. He retired to a hovel in 
Virginia, living in entire seclusion, surrounded by his 
books and his dogs. In 1782, he went to reside at 



190 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Philadelphia, where he died in obscurity in October 
of the same year. He was a man of much energy 
and courage, with considerable literary attainments, 
but morose and avaricious. He published essays on 
military, literary and political subjects, which with his 
extensive correspondence were collected in a volume 
in 1792. The authorship of the Letters of Junius has 
been ascribed to him. 



Richard Henry Lee, an eminent American patriot, 
and signer of the Declaration of Independence, was 
born in Virginia in 1732, and received his education 
in England. He returned to his native country when 
in his nineteenth year, and devoted himself to the 
general study of history, politics, law, and polite litera- 
ture, without engaging in any particular profession. 
In his 25th year, he was chosen a delegate to the house 
of burgesses, where he soon distinguished himself by 
his powers in debate. In 1764, he was appointed to 
draught an address to the king, and a memorial to the 
house of lords, which are amongst the best state papers 
of the period. His efforts in resisting the various en- 
croachments of the British government were indefati- 
gable, and in 1774 he attended the first general Congress 
at Philadelphia, as a delegate from Virginia. He was 
a member of most of the important committees of this 
body, and laboured with unceasing vigilance and 
energy. The memorial of Congress to the people of 
British America, and the second address of Congress 
to the people of Great Britain, were both from his pen. 
In June, 1776, he introduced the measure that de- 
clared the colonies free and independent states, and 



BIOORAPHICAL NOTICES. 191 

supported it by a speech of the most brilliant eloquence. 
He continued to hold a seat in Congress till June, 
1777, when he solicited leave of absence, on account 
of the delicate state of his health. In August of the 
next year, he was again elected to Congress, and con- 
tinued in that body till 1780, when he declined a re- 
election till 1784. In that year he was chosen presi- 
dent of Congress, but retired at the close of it, and in 
1786 was again chosen a member of the Virginia 
assembly. He was a member of the convention which 
adopted the present constitution of the United States, 
and one of the first senators under it. In 1792 he 
again retired from public life, and died in 1794. 



\ 

Patrick Henry, an American orator and statesman, 
was born in Virginia in 1736, and after receiving a 
common school education, and spending some time in 
trade and agriculture, commenced the practice of the 
law, after only six weeks of preparatory study. After 
several years of poverty, with the encumbrance of a 
family, he first rose to distinction in managing the 
popular cause in the controversy between the legisla- 
ture and the clergy, touching the stipend which was 
claimed by the latter. In 1765 he was elected a 
member of the house of burgesses, with express refer- 
ence to an opposition to the British stamp act. In 
this assembly he obtained the honor of being the first 
to commence the opposition to the measures of the 
British government, which terminated in the revolu- 
tion. He was one of the delegates sent by Virginia 
to the first general congress of the colonies, in 1774, 
and in that body distinguished himself by his boldness 



192 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

and eloquence. In 1776 he was appointed the first 
governor of the commonwealth, and to this office was 
repeatedly re-elected. In 1786 he was appointed by 
the legislature one of the deputies to the convention 
held at Philadelphia, for the purpose of revising the 
federal constitution. In 1788 he was a member of the 
convention, which met in Virginia to consider the 
constitution of the United States, and exerted himself 
strenuously against its adoption. In 1794 he retired 
from the bar, and died in 1799. Without extensive 
information upon legal or political topics, he was a 
natural orator of the highest order, possessing great 
powers of imagination, sarcasm and humor, united 
with great force and energy of manner, and a deep 
knowledge of human nature. 



Thomas Jefferson was born in Albemarle county, 
Virginia, in 1743, and was entered a student in the 
college of William and Mary. On leaving this semi- 
nary, he applied himself to the study of the law, 
under the tuition of the celebrated George Wythe, and 
was called to the bar in 1766. He soon occupied a 
high stand in his profession, and at the early age of 
twenty-live entered the house of burgesses of his 
native state. In 1774 he published a Summary View 
of the Rights of British America, a bold but respectful 
pamphlet addressed to the king. In 1776 he was 
elected a member of the continental congress, and in 
the following year draughted the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. Between 1777 and 1779 he was employed 
together with George Wythe and Edmund Pendleton 
on a commission for revising the laws of Virginia. In 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 193 

1779 he was elected governor of Virginia, and con- 
tinued in office until June, 1781. In the latter year 
he commenced his celebrated Notes on Virginia, and 
in 1787 published it under his own signature. In 
November, 1783, he again took his seat in the con- 
tinental congress, and in May following was appointed 
minister plenipotentiary, to act abroad with Adams and 
Franklin in the negotiation of commercial treaties. In 
1785 he was appointed to succeed Dr. Franklin as 
minister to the court of Versailles, and performed the 
duties of this office till 1789, when he returned to his 
native country and was placed by President Washington 
at the head of the department of state. In 1797 he 
became vice-president, and in 1801 president of the 
United States. At the expiration of eight years he 
again retired jLo private life, and took up his residence 
at Monticelloi^ He still continued anxious to promote 
the interest of science and literature, and devoted the 
attention of several years to the establishment of a 
university in Virginia. He died on the fourth of July, 
1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of In- 
dependence. In stature Mr. Jefferson was six feet 
and two inches high. His person was erect and well 
formed, though spare. In his manners he was simple 
and unaffected, simple in his habits, and incessantly 
occupied with the pursuits of business or study. Four 
volumes of his Correspondence have been published 
since his decease. 



Nicholas Biddle, an American naval officer was 
born in Philadelphia, in 1750. He entered the 
British fleet in 1770, having previously served several 
17 



194 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

years as a seaman on board merchant ships. On the 
commencement of hostilities between the colonies and 
the mother country, he returned to Philadelphia, and 
received from Congress the captaincy of the Andrew 
Doria, a brig of 14 guns, employed in the expedition 
against New Providence. Towards the close of 1776, 
he received command of the Randolph, a new frigate 
of 32 guns, with which he soon captured a Jamaica 
fleet of four sail richly laden. This prize he carried 
into Charleston, and was soon after furnished by the 
government of that town with four additional vessels, 
to attack several British cruisers, at that time harassing 
the commerce of the vicinity. He fell in with the 
royal line of battle ship Yarmouth, of 64 guns, on the 
7th of March, 1778, and after an action of twenty 
minutes, perished with all his crew except four, by the 
blowing up of the ship. '^ 



Johnson Blakely, a captain in the United States 
navy during the late war, was born in Ireland in 1781. 
Two years after, his father emigrated to the United 
States and settled in North Carolina. Young Blakely 
was placed, in 1796, at the university of North Caro- 
lina, but circumstances having deprived him of the 
means of adequate support, he left college, and in 1800 
obtained a midshipman's warrant. In 1813 he was 
appointed to the command of the Wasp, and in this 
vessel took his Brittanic Majesty's ship Reindeer, after 
an action of nineteen minutes. The Wasp afterwards 
put into L'Orient ; from which port she sailed August 
27th. On the evening of the first of September, 1814, 
she fell in with four sail, at considerable distances 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. IM 

from each other. One of these was the brig-of-war 
A^von, which struck after a severe action ; but Captain 
B. was prevented from taking possession by the ap- 
proach of another vessel. The enemy reported ihat 
;hey had sunk the Wasp by the first broadside, but 
jhe was afterwards spoken by a vessel off the Western 
[sles. After this we hear of her no more. Captain 
Blakely was considered a man of uncommon courage 
md intellect. 



Daniel Boone, one of the earliest settlers in 
Kentucky, was born in Virginia, and was from in- 
fancy addicted to hunting in the woods. He set out 
)n an expedition to explore the region of Kentucky, in 
Vlay, 1769, with five companions. After meeting with 
I variety of adventures, Boone was left with his 
)rother, the only white men in the wilderness. They 
)assed the winter in a cabin, and in the summer of 
1770 traversed the country to the Cumberland river. 
!n September, 1773, Boone commenced his removal 
o Kentucky with his own and five other families. He 
vas joined by forty men, who put themselves under 
lis direction ; but being attacked by the Indians, the 
vhole party returned to the settlements on Clinch 
iver. Boone was afterwards employed by a company 
)f North Carolina, to buy, from the Indians, lands on 
he south side of the Kentucky river. In April, 1775, 
le built a fort at Salt-spring, where Boonesborough is 
low situated. Here he sustained several sieges from 
he Indians, and Was once taken prisoner by them 
vhile hunting with a number of his men. In 1782 
he depredations of the savages increased to an alarm- 



196 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

ing extent, and Boone, with other militia officers, col- 
lected one hundred and seventy-six men, and went in 
pursuit of a large body, who had marched beyond the 
Blue Licks, forty miles from Lexington. From that 
time till 1798, he resided alternately in Kentucky and 
Virginia. In that year, having received a grant of 
two thousand acres of land from the Spanish autho- 
rities, he removed to Upper Louisiana, with his children 
and followers, who were presented with eight hun- 
dred acres each. He settled with them at Charette, 
on the Missouri river, where he followed his usual 
course of life, — hunting and trapping bears, — till Sep- 
tember, 1822, when he died in the eighty-fifth year of 
his age. He expired while on his knees, taking aim 
at some object, and was found in that position, with 
his gun resting on the trunk of a tree. 



John Burgoyne, was a natural son of Lord Bingley ; 
he entered early into the army; and in 1762 displayed 
much talent and enterprise, in command of a party of 
British troops in Portugal. In the American war, he 
led the army which was to penetrate from Canada 
into the revolted provinces. At first, he was success- 
ful ; but, insuperable obstacles thickening round him, 
he wa* ultimately compelled to surrender at Saratoga. 
Disgusted by the conduct of the ministry after his re- 
turn, he resigned all his employments. He died in 
August, 1792. Burgoyne wrote the dramas of the 
Heiress, the Maid of the Oaks, the Lord of the Manor, 
and Richard CcBur de Lion ; some pamphlets in his 
own defence ; and a Probationary Ode. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 197 

John Champe, a soldier in the American Revolution, 
was born in Louden county, Virginia. In the year 
1776 he was appointed a sergeant-major in Lee's regi- 
ment of cavalry, and after the discovery of Arnold's 
treason was employed by Washington in a service of 
much danger and difficulty; this was, to visit the 
British army as a deserter, in order to ascertain if any 
other American officers were engaged in that conspiracy, 
and to secure if possible the person of Arnold. In the 
latter object of his enterprise he unfortunately failed, 
but he effected his own escape in safety, and returned 
to his companions. Washington treated him munifi- 
cently, and presented him with his discharge from 
further service, lest, in the vicissitudes of war, he should 
fall into the hands of the enemy, and perish upon a 
gibbet. He died in Kentucky about the year 1797 



George Rogers Clarke, colonel in the service of 
Virginia against the Indians in the revolutionary war, 
distinguished himself greatly in that post, and rendered 
efficient service to the inhabitants of the frontiers. In 
1779 he descended the Ohio and built fort Jefferson 
on the eastern bank of the Mississippi; in 1781 he re- 
ceived a general's commission. He died in 1817 at 
his seat near Louisville, Kentucky. 



Richard Dale, an American naval commander, was 
born in Virginia in 1756. At twelve years of age he 
was sent to sea, and in 1776 he entered as a midship- 
man on board of the American brig of war Lexington. 
17* 



198 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

In the following year he was taken prisoner by a 
British cruiser, and after a twelve month confinement 
he escaped from Mill prison, and succeeded in reach- 
ing France. Here he joined, in the character of 
master's mate, the celebrated Paul Jones, then com- 
manding the American ship Bon Homme Richard. 
He was soon raised to the rank of first lieutenant and 
signalized himself in the sanguinary engagement be- 
tween the Bon Homme Richard and the English 
frigate Serapis. In 1794, the United States made him 
a captain in the navy, and in 1801 he took command 
of the American squadron which sailed in that year 
from Hampton roads to the Mediterranean. From the 
year 1802, he passed his life in Philadelphia, in the 
enjoyment of a competent estate, and much esteemed 
by his fellow-citizens. He died in 1826, leaving the 
reputation of a brave and intelligent seaman. 



Stephen Decatur, a distinguished officer in the 
navy of the United States, was born in Maryland i» 
1779, and received his education in Philadelphia. 
He entered the navy in 1798, and first distinguished 
himself when in the rank of lieutenant, by the destruc- 
tion of the American frigate Philadelphia, which had 
run upon a rock in the harbor of Tripoli, and fallen 
into the hands of the enemy. For this fexploit, the 
American Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a 
sword, and the president immediately sent him a cap- 
taincy. At the bombardment of Tripoli the next year, 
he distinguished himself by the capture of two of the 
enemy's boats, which were moored along the mouth 
of the harbor, and immediately under the batteries. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 199 

When peace was concluded with Tripoli, Decatur re- 
turned home in the Congress, and afterward succeeded 
Commodore Barron in the command of the Chesapeake. 
In the late war between Great Britain and the United 
States, his chief exploit was the capture of the British 
frigate Macedonian, commanded by Captain Carden. 
In January, 1815, he attempted to sail from New 
York, which was then blockaded by four British ships ; 
but the frigate under his command was injured in pass- 
ing the bar, and was captured by the whole squadron, 
after a running fight of two or three hours. He was 
restored to his country after the conclusion of peace. 
In the summer of the same year, he was sent with a 
squadron to the Mediterranean, in order to compel the 
Algerines to desist from their depredations on American 
commerce. He arrived at Algiers on the twenty-eighth 
of June, and in less than forty-eight hours terrified 
the regency into an entire accession to all his terms. 
Thence he went to Tripoli, where he met with like 
success. On returning to the United States, he was 
appointed a member of the Board of Commissioners 
for the navy, and held that office till March, 1820, 
when he was shot in a duel with Commodore Barron. 
He was a man of an active and powerful frame, and 
possessed a high degree of energy, sagacity, and 
courage. 



George Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of 
American Independence, was born in Virginia in 1726. 
His early course was dissipated, but at the age of thirty 
he reformed, turned his attention to literature, studied 
law and commenced its practice. At the breaking out 



200 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

of the revolution he was a distinguished leader of the 
popular party. He was for some time speaker of the 
house of burgesses, and in 1775 was elected a member 
of Congress. He was one of the committee to revise 
the laws of Virginia in 1776, and had a principal 
share in preparing the code adopted in 1779. Soon 
after he was appointed one of the three judges of the 
high court of chancery, and subsequently sole counsel- 
lor. He was a member of the convention of Virginia 
to consider the constitution of the United States. 
His death, which was attributed to poison, took place 
in 1806. 



John Paul Jones, a native of Scotland, was bom 
in 1747, at Selkirk, and settled in America when young. 
He distinguished himself by his bravery in the 
American service, during the contest with the mother 
country, particularly in a desperate action with the 
Serapis frigate, which he captured. He died in Paris 
in 1792, and was buried at the expense of the national 
convention. Jones was not only a man of signal 
courage, but also of great talent, and keen sagacity, 
wrote poetry, and in France aspired to be a man of 
fashion. His memorials and correspondence are quite 
voluminous. 



George Walton, a signer of the Declaration of 
American Independence, was born in Frederic county, 
Virginia, about the year 1740. He was early ap- 
prenticed to a carpenter, but at the expiration of his 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 201 

apprenticeship he removed to Georgia and entered the 
office of an attorney at law. In 1776 he was elected 
to the continental congress. At the siege of Savannah 
he was wounded and taken prisoner, but was exchanged 
in September, 1779. In the following month he was 
appointed governor of the state, and in the succeeding 
January was elected a member of Congress for two 
years. 



David Ramsey, an American historian, was born in 
Pennsylvania, in 1749, was educated at Princeton 
College, and commenced the study of medicine. After 
practising a short time in Maryland, he removed to 
Charleston, South Carolina, in 1773, and soon rose 
to an extensive practice. He took an active and early 
part in the cause of the colonies, and was for some 
time a surgeon in the revolutionary army. In 1782 
he was chosen to a seat in Congress. He wrote a 
History of the Revolution in South Carolina ; a History 
of the American Revolution ; a Life of Washington ; a 
History of South Carolina; and a History of the 
United States. He died in 1815. 



Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a distinguished 
officer of the revolutionary army, was born in South 
Carolina, received his education in England, and 
studi^ed law in the Temple. On returning to his 
native province in 1769, he devoted himself to the 
successful practice of his profession. On the com- 
mencement of hostilities he renounced law for the 



202 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Study of military tactics, and was soon promoted to 
the command of the first regiment of Carolina infantry. 
He was subsequently aid-de-camp to Washington, and 
in this capacity at the battles of Brandywine and 
Germantown. On the surrender of Charleston he 
was taken prisoner, and remained so till all opportunity 
of gaining fresh reputation in the field, had passed. 
He was a member of the convention which formed 
the federal constitution, and in 1796 was appointed 
minister to France. When preparations were making 
for war on account of the expected French invasion, 
Mr. Pinckney was nominated a major-general, but he 
soon had an opportunity of retiring to the quiet of 
private life. He was afterwards president of the 
Cincinnati Society of the United States. He died in 
1825. 



Daniel Morgan, a distinguished officer in the army 
of the American Revolution, was born in New Jersey, 
and removed to Virginia in 1755. He enlisted in 
Braddock's expedition as a private soldier, and on the 
defeat of that general returned to his occupation as a 
farmer. At the commencement of the Revolution he 
was appointed to the command of a troop of horse, 
and joined the army under Washington, then in the 
neighbourhood of Boston. He distinguished himself 
very much in the expedition against Quebec, where 
he fell into the hands of the enemy. On the exchange 
of prisoners, he rejoined the American army, was ap- 
pointed to the command of a select rifle corps, and 
detached to assist General Gates on the northern fron- 
tier, where he contributed materially to the capture of 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 203 

General Burgoyne. After a short retirement from 
service, on account of ill health, he was appointed 
brigadier-general by brevet, and commanded at the 
force by which Colonel Tarleton was routed at the 
battle of Cowpens. He soon after resigned his com- 
mission. In 1794 he commanded the militia of 
Virginia called out to suppress the insurrection in 
Pennsylvania, and continued in the service till 1795. 
He afterwards was elected to a seat in Congress. He 
died in 1799. 



James Nicholson, an officer in the American navy, 
was born in Cheslertown, Maryland, in 1737. He 
followed the life of a sailor till the year 1763, when 
he married and setded in the city of New York. 
Here he remained until 1771, when he returned to his 
native province. At the commencement of the Revolu- 
tion, the government of Maryland built and equipped 
a ship of war, called the Defence, and the command 
of her was intrusted to Nicholson. He performed 
various exploits during the war, and before the close 
of it was taken prisoner and carried into New York. 
He died in 1806. 



James Monroe, President of the United States, was 
born in Virginia, in 1759, and was educated in William 
and Mary College. He entered the revolutionary war 
in 1776 as a cadet, was at the battles of Haerlem 
Heights and White Plains, and in the attack on Trenton, 
and rose through the rank of lieutenant to that of cap- 



204 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

tain. He was present at the battles of Brandywine 
Germantown, and Monmouth, as aid to Lord Sterling" 
Resuming the study of the law, he entered the office 
of Mr. Jefferson, and after being a member of the 
assembly of Virginia and the council, he was elected 
in 1783, a member of the old Congress. In 1790 he 
was elected a member of the Senate of the United 
States, in 1794 went as minister plenipotentiary to 
France, and in 1799 was appointed governor of 
Virginia. In 1803 he was appointed minister extra- 
ordinary to France, in the same year minister to Lon- 
don, and in the next minister to Spain. In 1806 he 
was again appointed in conjunction with Mr. William 
Pinkney, minister to London. He was subsequently 
governor of Virginia ; in 1811 was appointed secretary 
of state, and continued to exercise the duties of this 
department, and for some time those of the department 
of war, till 1817. In that year he was chosen presi- 
dent of the Union, and in 1821 was re-elected by a 
vote, unanimous, with the single exception of one vote 
in New Hampshire. He died in New York, on the 
fourth of July, 1831. 



Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of 
American Independence, was born in South Carolina 
in 1743, and received his education in Europe. Soon 
after his return home, he began to take an active part 
in the revolutionary movements, and in 1776 was 
chosen one of the delegates from his native state to the 
American Congress. At the close of the year 1777 
he resigned his seat, leaving behind a character for 
the purest patriotism and unwavering resolution. In 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 205 

the year 1779 many of the southetn plantations were 
ravaged, and that of Mr. Middleton did not escape. 
On the surrender of Charleston he was taken prisoner 
and kept in confinement for nearly a year. In 1781 
he was appointed a representative to Congress, and 
again in 1782. In the latter year he went into retire- 
ment, and died in 1787. 



John Adams, a distinguished patriot of the American 
Revolution, was born in 1735, at Braintree, Massachu- 
setts. He was educated at the University of Cam- 
bridge, and received the degree of master of arts in 
1758. At this time he entered the office of Jeremiah 
Gridley, a lawyer of the highest eminence, to complete 
his legal studies ; and in the next year he was admitted 
to the bar of Suffolk. Mr. Adams at an early age es- 
poused the cause of his country, and received numer- 
ous marks of the public confidence and respect. He 
took a prominent part in every leading measure, and 
served on several committees which reported some of 
the- most important state papers of the time. He was 
elected a member of the Congress, and was among the 
foremost in recommending the adoption of an indepen- 
dent government. It has been aflirmed by Mr. Jeffer- 
son himself, " that the great pillar of support to the 
Declaration of Independence, and its ablest advocate 
and champion on the floor of the house was John 
Adams." In 1777 he was chosen commissioner to 
the court of Versailles, in the place of Mr. Dean, who 
was recalled. On his return, about a year afterwards, 
he was elected a member of the convention to prepare 
a form of government for the state of Massachusetts, 
18 



206 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

and placed on the sub-committee chosen to draught the 
project of a constitution. Three months after his re- 
turn, Congress sent him abroad with two commissions, 
one as a minister plenipotentiary to negotiate a peace, 
the other to form a commercial treaty with Great 
Britain. In June, 1780, he was appointed in the place 
of Mr. Laurens ambassador to Holland, and in 1782 
he repaired to Paris, to commence the negotiation for 
peace, having previously obtained assurance that Great 
Britain would recognise the independence of the 
United States. At the close of the war Mr. Adams was 
appointed the first minister to London. Ir 1789 he 
was elected vice-president of the United States, and 
on the resignation of Washington, succeeded to the 
presidency in 1797. After his term of four years had 
expired, it was found, on the new election, that his 
adversary, Mr. Jefferson, had succeeded by the majority 
of one vote. On retiring to his farm in Quincy, Mr. 
Adams occupied himself with agriculture, obtaining 
amusement from the literature and politics of the day. 
The remaining years of his life were passed in almost 
uninterrupted tranquillity. He died on the fourth of 
July, 1826, with the same words on his lips, which 
fifty years before, on that glorious day, he had uttered 
on the floor of Congress — " Independence for ever." 
Mr. Adams is the author of An Essay on Canon and 
Feudal Law ; a series of letters published under the 
signature of Novanglus ; and Discourses on Davila. 



Benjamin Franklin, a philosopher and statesman, 
the son of a soap-boiler and tallow chandler, was born 
in 1706, at Boston, in America. He was apprenticed 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 207 

as a printer to his brother, at Boston. It was while 
he was with his brother that he began to try his 
powers of literary composition. Street ballads and 
articles in a newspaper were his first efforts. Dis- 
satisfied with the manner in which he was treated by 
his relative, he, at the age of seventeen, ■ privately 
quitted him, and went to Philadelphia, where he ob- 
tained employment. Deluded by a promise of patron- 
age from the governor. Sir William Keith, he visited 
England to procure the necessary materials, for esta- 
blishing a printing office in Philadelphia ; but, on his 
arrival at London, he found that he had been deceived, 
and he was obliged to work as a journeyman for 
eighteen months. While he was in the British 
metropolis, he wrote a Dissertation on Liberty and 
Necessity, Pleasure and Pain. In 1726 he returned 
to Philadelphia ; not long after which he entered into 
business as a printer and stationer, and, in 1728, eita- 
tablished a newspaper. His prudence soon placed 
him among the most prosperous of the citizens, and 
the influence which prosperity naturally gave was en- 
hanced by his activity and talent. Chiefly by his ex- 
ertions, a public library, a fire preventing company, an 
insurance company, and a voluntary association for 
defence, were established at Philadelphia. In 1732, 
he began Poor Richard's Almanac. His first public 
employment was that of clerk to the general assembly 
of Pennsylvania ; his next that of postmaster ; and he 
was subsequently chosen as a representative. Philoso- 
phy, also, now attracted his attention, and he began 
those inquiries into the nature of electricity, the results 
of which have ranked him high among men of science. 
In 1753, he was appointed deputy postmaster-general 
of British America ; and from 1757 to 1762, he resided 



208 BIOGRAPHIC Al4 NOTICES. 

in London, as agent for Pennsylvania and other colonies. 
The last of these offices was intrusted to him again ia 
1764, and he held it till the breaking out of the con- 
test in 1775. After his return to America, he took an 
active part in the cause of liberty, and, in 1778, he 
was despatched, by the Congress, as ambassador to 
France. The treaty of alliance wiih the French 
government, and the treaties of peace, in 1782 and 
1783, as vs^ell as treaties with Sweden and Prussia, 
were signed by him. On his reaching Philadelphia, 
in September, 1785, his arrival was hailed by applaud- 
ing thousands of his countrymen, who conducted him 
in triumph to his residence. He died April 17th, 
1790. His Memoirs, written by himself, but left un- 
finished, and his Philosophical, Political, and Mis- 
cellaneous Works, have been published by his grand- 
son, in six volumes octavo. 



Samuel Adams, one of the most remarkable men 
connected with the American Revolution, was born at 
Boston in 1722. He was educated at Harvard College, 
and received his honors in 1740. He was one of the 
first who organized measures of resistance to the 
mother country ; and for the prominent part which he 
took in these measures he was proscribed by the 
British government. During the revolutionary war, 
he was one of the most active and influential asserters 
of American freedom and independence. He was a 
member of the legislature of Massachusetts from 1766 
to 1774, when he was sent to the first Congress of the 
old confederation. He was one of the signers of the 
Declaration of 1776, for the adoption of which he had 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. y 209 

always been one of the warmest advocates. In 1781 
he retired from Congress, but only to receive from his 
native state additional proofs of her confidence in his 
talents and integrity. He had already been an active 
member of the convention that formed her constitution, 
and after it went into effect, he was placed in the 
senate of the state, and for several years presided over 
that body. In 1789 he was elected lieutenant-governor, 
and held that office till 1794 ; upon the death of Han- 
cock, he was chosen governor, and was annually re- 
elected till 1797, when he retired from public life. He 
died in 1803. The following encomium upon Mr. 
Adams is from a work upon the American Rebellion, 
by Mr. Galloway, published in Great Britain, 1780 ; 
" He eats litde, drinks little, sleeps little, thinks much, 
and is most indefatigable in the pursuit of his object. It 
was this man, who, by his superior application, managed 
at once the factions in Congress at Philadelphia, and 
the factions of New England." 



William Pinkney, an eloquent lawyer and states- 
man, was born in Maryland in 1765, and prepared 
himself for the bar under the instruction of Judge 
Chase. He was admitted to practice in 1786, and 
soon gave indications of possessing superior powers. 
He was a member of the convention of Maryland 
which ratified the federal constitution. In 1776 he 
was appointed one of the commissioners under the 
British treaty. The state of Maryland also employed 
him to procure a settlement of its claims on the Bank 
of England, and he recovered for it the sum of eight 
hundred thousand dollars. This detained him in 



210 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

England till the year 1804, when he returned and re- 
sumed his professional labors. In 1806 he was sent 
as envoy extraordinary to London, and in 1808 re- 
ceived the authority of minister jjlenipotentiary. He 
returned to the United States in 1811, and soon after 
was appointed attorney-general. This office he held 
till 1814. During the incursion of the British into 
Maryland, he commanded a battalion, and was wounded 
in the battle of Bladensburgh in August, 1814. He 
was afterwards representative in Congress, minister 
plenipotentiary to Russia, envoy to Naples, and in 
1819 senator in Congress. In the last office he con- 
tinued till his death in 1822. 



Oliver Hazard Perry, art American naval officer, 
was born in Rhode Island in 1785. Entering the 
navy in 1798, he served in the Mediterranean in the 
expedition against Tripoli, and distinguished himself 
in the late war with Great Britain by obtaining a 
splendid victory over a superior force on Lake Erie. 
For this exploit he was raised to the rank of captain. 
He commanded the Java in the expedition to the 
Mediterranean under Commodore Decatur. He died 
in the West Indies in 1820. 



THE END. 



M, 






